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Spanish minister cancels Saudi lecture because of absence of women
Jan 15, 2007, 13:00 GMT
Madrid - Spanish Justice Minister Fernando Lopez Aguilar on Monday cancelled a lecture he was scheduled to give during an official visit to Saudi Arabia because women were not allowed to attend, Spanish media reports said.
Lopez Aguilar had intended to lecture on international terrorism at the Imam Islamic University in Riyadh, which prohibited four female journalists accompanying the minister from attending.
The university said it was an exclusively masculine institution and that there was no precedent for the presence of women.
Spanish government sources said the minister could not participate in a discriminatory act and sent a copy of his lecture instead.
The university had not informed Spain of its policy early enough, and the Saudi Justice Ministry did not have time to seek the necessary permits for the women to enter, according to Spanish reports.
Spanish sources said the university's attitude contrasted with that of the Saudi authorities, who had shown an 'exquisite respect' for female journalists during Lopez Aguilar's visit.
Women were allowed to witness all events including Lopez Aguilar's meeting with the Saudi Islamic affairs minister.
The Madrid Press Association thanked Lopez Aguilar for having regarded 'the right of women as more important than the exercise of his profession.'
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Uh.. that should have read BEYONG impressed. Not being.
I applaud him for standing up for his convictions regarding fair and equal treatment of women. It shows this man has some backbone by acting on his beliefs! :)
Holy crap, I am impressed. And, he isn't too hard on the eyes, either... ;) yeah, he's crushworthy.
'Women were allowed to witness all events including Lopez Aguilar's meeting with the Saudi Islamic affairs minister.'
But not to speak or (horror of horrors) to ask questions.
This is not emancipation - it's the same old sh*t with a PR gloss.
page: 1
Ana Casian-LakosJan 16th, 2007 - 22:58:42
Wow... i am being impressed.
and, I have a new crush. :)
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