Agência Brasil

Brasília - Women's and human rights groups demonstrated today outside the Ulysses Guimarães Convention Center during the opening of the South America - Arab Countries Summit, in Brasília, to protest the way females are treated in the Arab countries. Wearing full-length shrouds and other typical pieces of clothing, the demonstrators called for freedom of expression, equal rights, and an end to oppression. A shroud was burned during the protest.

The protests will continue tomorrow (11) at the Hotel Blue Tree, where many of the Arab delegations are staying. The acts on behalf of women's rights include the delivery of a manifesto to the heads of State who are in Brasília participating in the Summit.

The protests are being organized by the Human Rights Commission of the Rio de Janeiro branch of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB-RJ), the Brazilian Academy of Philosophy, the Noos Institute, the Brazilian Society of Victimology, Zonta International, the Lions Club of Rio de Janeiro, and the Movement of Solidarity with Arab Women.

Translation: David Silberstein