Thread by @sussantweets, 1) How can @guardian do an exclusive on #KameelAhmady & fail to [...]

1) How can @guardian do an exclusive on #KameelAhmady & fail to do their research. If they had done full research, they would have referred to several women who courageously spoke up during Iran's #MeToo

movement about being raped by him.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/03/academic-jailed-in-iran-pulls-off-daring-escape-back-to-britain-kameel-ahmady
#کامیل_احمدی

Academic jailed in Iran pulls off daring escape back to Britain

Exclusive: Kameel Ahmady smuggled himself out through mountainous border after being sentenced to nine years

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/03/academic-jailed-in-iran-pulls-off-daring-escape-back-to-britain-kameel-ahmady

2) No one should be persecuted for research, but they should be prosecuted for rape. What makes this case significant is that the women making the claims, were from the very same marginalized communities that #KameelAhmady's research was focused on. #MeToo

#کامیل_احمدی

3) What made these women strong was also what made them vulnerable to sexual assault by #KameelAhmady who they believed was on the side of women! These women had fought hard against cultural restrictions & stereotypes & were keen to work as research assistants for Ahmady #MeToo

4) It's ironic too that when the 1st story broke, the survivor & those amplifying her voice were contacted indirectly & directly by #KameelAhmady who then threatened his victim, claiming that because of her identify & activism she was of interest to Iranian security forces #MeToo

5) These messages went on to say that #KameelAhmady had protected his victim in interrogation, but that he would no longer be able to do so. This not so veiled threat created a lot of fear among other victims who were contemplating coming forward. Still 8 women spoke up #MeToo

6)These women also feared backlash from their conservative communities if they spoke up. Further, laws in Iran fail to adequately protect survivors who cannot prove their claims. Survivors risked being charged for false claims or punished for extramarital relations. #KameelAhmady

7) Unfortunately these #MeToo

revelations came at a time when #KameelAhmadi was awaiting sentencing. He used this as an excuse to silence critics further and some outside of Iran began to express concern that the assault allegations were made up by security forces. They were not.

8) Many of the women who came forward are known to activists in Iran's women's movement & few are known women activists themselves. Those who spoke up had shared their ordeals with those they felt could provide support long before #MeToo

assault allegations against #KameelAhmady

9) One of the women who shared her story, said that she was willing to press charges and that her husband would support her. A lawyer also agreed to represent the women. When threats and coercion did not force these women into silence, #KameelAhmady published a statement.

10) #KameelAhmady failed to appropriately take responsibility in his statement. Instead he explained he was being unfairly judged for having different & more relaxed cultural beliefs. That is true, because we who are horrified by the #MeToo

revelations are not relaxed about rape.

10) #KameelAhmady failed to appropriately take responsibility in his statement. Instead he explained he was being unfairly judged for having different & more relaxed cultural beliefs. That is true, because we who are horrified by the #MeToo revelations are not relaxed about rape.

11) Iran's Sociological Association responded well to these developments with a statement rescinding the of membership #KameelAhmady. Unfortunately @UN_Iran & Office of Women & Family Affairs refused to make comment or take action @ebtekarm_ir #MeToo

https://twitter.com/sussantweets/status/1304181259233636352

https://twitter.com/sussantweets/status/1304181259233636352

12) Many have reacted strongly to the Guardian article published today. No one wants to see #KameelAhmady in prison for legitimate research, but we take offense to presenting him as a hero. He needs to be held accountable for what the incredible harm he has caused these women.

13) #KameelAhmady also needs to be held accountable for the unforgivable breach of trust with these most vulnerable communities and the harm that he has caused to social research in Iran, especially research on gender issues in conservative communities. This we may never overcome

14) The Iranian women's movement has taken special offense with respect to this case. The space which has long been closed to us because of repressive state policies, was open #KameelAhmady, who claimed to be a scholar. We welcomed his research and believed it to be of value.

15) Instead of valuing the trust of the women's movement, Iranian scholars and marginalized communities, #KameelAhmady took advantage of it, to allow for his predatory behavior to flourish targeting the very women who worked with him to bring positive change to their communities.

16) There is speculation #KameelAhmady will go onto work with FGM groups, or do research in Afghanistan, or Iraqi Kurdistan. Those who are considering supporting him should be cautious not to contribute to further victimization of women in the name of women's empowerment. #MeToo

17) Links to the #MeToo

stories (in Farsi) on inappropriate sexual behavior & sexual assault by #KameelAhmady are provided in tweets below. The @Gaurdian update is not sufficient. Instead women's stories about sexual assault & resulting trauma should be taken seriously.