Defend International has urged the Iranian authorities to take serious steps towards imposing an immediate moratorium on executions. “As the world’s biggest executioner of child offenders, it is time for Iran to act immediately to restore some of the confidence of the international community,” said Dr. Widad.

Today at the United Nation after years of discussions and debates, the vast majority of governments – 153 in total – agreed a timetable to establish a “strong and robust” Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) with the “highest common standards” to control international transfers of conventional arms. “This is a tribute to the hard work done by campaigners around the world,” said Dr. Widad.

The governments in the MENA region need to sign the new treaty banning cluster bombs and become part of the international consensus against this weapon said Defend International today at the start of a global week of action against cluster bombs. “Actions speak louder than words and that’s why we need countries in the MENA region to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions without delay,” said Dr. Widad.

During a well-attended women’s conference held in Qunitera, DI members in Morocco called for the elimination of social, cultural, political and economic discrimination against women. “Women have the right to equal treatment and to make decisions free from discrimination,” said DI president Ms. Widad Akrawi.