Two weeks ago today, I asked the Radio Canada ombudsman for assistance in obtaining a copy of the 1999 report of former ombudsman Marcel Pepin into CBC's APEC/Terry Milewski affair. Still no answer.

From the Independent:

Afghanistan's President has promised justice for Sayed Pervez Kambaksh, raising hopes that the condemned student journalist will be freed.

I also offer a quick update on what Canada's foreign minister has had to say on this case, compared to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

From Afgha.com:

Afgha.com has received a statement from the Afghan Embassy in Washington, D.C. regarding the government's position on jailed journalist Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh.

Kambakhsh was jailed for allegedly downloading an article about the role of women in Islamic society and distributing it among campuses in northern Afghanistan. He was sentenced to death for charges of insulting Islam by a lower court on Jan. 22.

The statement is as follows:

 The Government of Afghanistan is fully aware of the gravity of the case of Mr. Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh and appreciates the concern expressed on his behalf. Mr. Kambaksh’s case will be appealed to an appellate court and reviewed by the Supreme Court in accordance with Afghanistan’s Constitution, which guarantees all principles of human rights. The Afghan Parliament has withdrawn its initial support for the judgment against Mr. Kambakhsh. The office of President Karzai is closely monitoring the case and working with Afghanistan’s judicial system to find a just solution in accordance with Afghan law and our nation's international obligations.

From AP via globeandmail.com:

Conservative clerics and elders demanded Thursday that the Afghan government not interfere with a controversial death sentence handed down to a young journalist convicted of insulting Islam for distributing a report questioning polygamy.

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From the Toronto Star's Antonia Zerbisias:

It was only after weeks of international outrage that Canada's House of Commons, in response to a motion sponsored by NDP leader Jack Layton, unanimously voted on Monday to condemn a death sentence faced by an Afghan journalist.

About time, too, although the Harper government still hasn't had much to say about the case, at least not for the record.

Why has it not been pounding on Afghan President Hamid Karzai's desk?

Why has it not led the world's protests?

Where is the accountability for Canadian blood and treasure?

I am sure I am not the only Canadian who would like to know why our troops are getting blown up to prop up a regime that has, despite fine words in its new constitution, no regard for women's rights – or the ability of journalists to discuss how the prophet Mohammed regarded women.

That's because, in Afghanistan, even long after the Taliban was toppled from power, if you suggest that women should be equal to men, you might as well book a cell on death row.

That's where Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh is.