This recent Reuters article is a prime example of how the mainstream media distorts reality to fit the imperial agenda:
Violent crime against women in Afghanistan hit record levels and became increasingly brutal in 2013, the head of its human rights commission said on Saturday, a sign that hard won rights are being rolled back as foreign troops prepare to withdraw."Hard won rights"? Which rights, exactly? Ever since the appearance of the 'Taliban' and the U.S. invasion and occupation, Afghanistan has been pushed into a downward spiral of destruction, death and misery. You would think that if the U.S. had any intention of improving the situation in Afghanistan during these past 12 years, things would have been... well, improving. But, obviously, that's not the case. In short, if violent crime against women in Afghanistan has hit record levels, it is a direct result of the 12 years of US and British occupation of my home country.
But before we wade further through the mire of this particular Reuters article, let's look back at how media reports described violence against women and women's rights in Afghanistan under U.S. military occupation:
Comment: Further Updates
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18:45 CET
French riot police are positioned at the Conseil d'État at the Palais du Justice in Paris in anticipation of supporters of Dieudonné protesting there.
20:00 CET
It's interesting to note that the Council of State is France's Supreme Court, but unlike the Supreme Court in the US, where permanent members adjudicate cases that bring up constitutional issues, France's Supreme Court has several functions, including as 'legal advisor' to the government. In this role, it is presided over by the Prime Minister, the Vice-President and other members of the government.
In upholding the French government's ban, the Conseil d'État functioned as an appellate court, and was composed of just one judge, Bernard Stirn, great-grand-nephew of Alfred Dreyfus.
20:10 CET
According to Dieudonné's Facebook page, this decision has been handed down at the very last minute. Thousands of spectators are already at the venue, Dieudonné is inside and has asked to be allowed outside to address the crowd but the police won't let him. The authorities are requesting that people return to their homes and Dieudonné has also pleaded with them to remain calm and sing the Marseillaise...
20:20 CET
Dieudonné is now also asking that people to return to their homes following reports that violence has broken out...
In another Facebook update, Dieudonné has again asked people to calmly leave the scene, explaining that a violent confrontation is what the government is looking for:
Dieudonné fans left the Zenith arena in Nantes peacefully, chanting the Marseillaise. The comedian is set to release a video message via his YouTube channel tomorrow, 10th January 2013.