Paris-Geneva March

In February and March 1987, the mothers of Franco-Algerian children who have been kidnapped by their Algerian fathers, marched to the Commission of Human Rights in Geneva in order to publicize their plight. (See Women in Action 6, 1986). They completed their 600-kilometer journey at the beginning of March with a visit to the President of the Commission. They have contended with snow, rain, mountain ranges, with many blisters and sleepless nights. Such pressure was put on the Algerian authorities, that they later flew to Strasbourg on the eve of women's visit to the European Parliament, bringing with them six of the children and their fathers. The object of the visit was to settle the individual cases of women involved through private agreements between both parents.

The rapidity with which the Algerian authorities acted was a surprise. Although the women had received a lot of support from many quarters, both inside France and internationally, and were subject of well-planned press conferences before their departure, there was little media coverage of the women's action. On the second day of the march, however, perturbed by the potential embarrassment which these women could cause them, the Algerian government invited the mothers to Algeria in order to see their children. And to stop the march. The temptation was great.

However, if the march stopped, the women would have lost their power to negotiate for their own cases and, more importantly, for the thousands of other women and their children similarly affected throughout the world.

They refused the offer, and through the mediatory services of a Belgium member of the European Parliament, Anne-Marie Lizin, it was arranged that the Algerians should come to France with the children. On February 18, under the eye of the international media, six children arrived in Strasbourg, accompanied by their fathers, an unexpected factor. A private agreement was negotiated and signed by both parents which ensures the children's right to spend the holidays in France this summer with their mothers and a blueprint, hopefully, for future years and similar cases.

Saying goodbye to children was terrible, but at least it was in the hope that they would see them again soon. Determined to get to Geneva, the women continued their march under difficult emotional and climatic conditions. It was important for them to pursue their aim - to make their cause known to the Commission of Human Rights so that an international, not just an individual solution can be found.

For more information, contact:

Collectif de Solidarite Aux Meres des Enfants Enleves
4 Square Saint Irenee,
75011 Paris, France

Dominican Women Prevented From Attending Latin American Conference of Grassroots Women

Four women from the Dominican Republic - Eufemia Frias, Alba Reyes, Altagrazia Medina and Alejandrina Hidalgo -- were on their way to Mexico City in November 1986 to participate in the Conference of Grassroots Women organized by the Women's Network of the Latin American Council for Adult Education.

They were carrying all documents legally required: current passports, visas from the Mexican government and round trip tickets from Santo Domingo to Mexico City and return.

Yet when they arrived at their transit stop in Miami airport, Florida, USA, they were detained by customs agents, kept incommunicado all morning and not allowed to continue their journey. They were not allowed to call Mexico and were subsequently sent back to their own country and thus unable to participate in the conference.

We are asking your solidarity in denouncing the authorities responsible, demanding reimbursements for their tickets and an apology for this violation of the women's international right of transit.

Send your support to:

Red de Mujeres del Consejo de Educacion de
Adultos de America Latina
c/o M.P.D.
Apdo. Postal 19-493 Col.Mixcoac 03910 Mexico, D.F., Mexico

Kwon In Suk, Korea

South Korean worker and activist Ms. Kwon In Suk was taken into custody in 1986 and interrogated about her associates and contacts.

Later she claimed she had been repeatedly beaten and assaulted by police officers while under arrest.

Her allegations were later substantiated by a team of nine lawyers, and activists from a variety of groups called for a full public enquiry.

Instead, Kwon in Suk was brought to trial on charges of falsifying identity documents in order to gain entry to a factory to instigate a labor dispute. She was found guilty on November 21 and sentenced to 18 months jail.

Despite the fact that 166 lawyers had joined in her defense and demanded the indictment of Sergeant Mun Kwodong, who she tearfully claimed had sexually tortured her, the prosecution ruled that the allegations of sexual abuses were "fabrications." Demonstrations by women's groups and human rights activists may still force an enquiry.

(Outwrite, Issue 55, Feb.87)

Copy of Ms. Kwon In Suk's speech to the court from:

CAW Asian Women Workers Newsletter
Committee for Asian Women
57 Peking Road 4/F
Kowloon, Hong Kong