I have a new hero

Lubna Hussein.

If you don't recognise the name, you might know the story. She is a former journalist from Sudan who was arrested a few weeks ago for wearing pants (trousers for those in the UK) in a restaurant. She was with 10 other women also wearing trousers, who were all arrested for indecent dress - the penalty is a whipping.

Unfortunately, while the penatly is pretty well established, the interepretation of 'indecent dress' isn't so it's pretty much up the individual cop as to whether to charge a woman for wearing trousers or not.

In this case, 10 of the women pled guilty to indecent dress and recieved lashes the next day. Lubna is pleading not guilty and has taken her case to court in a test of the law. And what makes this story even more amazing is that to force the issue and avoid any potential backing-out by the authorities in Sudan, she has quit her post at the UN Council and waived any right to immunity as a result. She is putting herself forward as a test case for women in Sudan and their rights - not so much to wear pants (I'm pretty sure that isn't really a right but a fashion statement although no doubt some people would think it was) but to not be subjected to vagarities and inequality in the justice system and to have a right to choice and know the consequences rather than being coerced into choices because of fear or lack of knowledge. Or maybe she is fighting for the right to wear pants because she has thick ankles and can't wear skirts.

Either way, she's pretty damn brave and definately a new hero of mine.

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE5734IP20090804?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0