Riverdale High School’s Address: 9727 SW Terwilliger Blvd Portland, OR 97219

Riverdale High School’s Phone: (503) 262-4844

Dear Senator Ron Wyden,

My name is Stella Gatziolis and I am a student at Riverdale High School. I am reaching the end
of my Global Issues class which covers current events across the world and how countries such
as the United States are related through their action or lack thereof. The final project calls
attention towards a region or country where rights outlined in the United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights are being violated.

My selected topic is honor killings in Middle Eastern Islamic countries and how they directly
violated Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment. Extreme aspects of Islam are being used daily to justify the killing of
women by their male family members who claim they are removing “dishonor” from families.
Women are constantly subjected to extreme and severe physical abuse, gun violence, and
beheadings. The governments of countries where honor killings are frequent and socially
accepted, have not done anything to improve conditions for women nor hold perpetrators
accountable.

Considering that you have been an avid advocate for women’s rights and have experience with
groups of political power, I am hopeful that you will be able to provide insightful guidance that
will assist me in forming responses to two questions critical to the completion of my final
project:

1. What can international powers such as the United States government do to influence the
governments that have condoned the practice of honor killings?
2. What political schemes have you used to fight for women’s rights in the past? Can those
ideas be implemented into fighting for the rights of victims of honor killings?

I appreciate your attention and assistance and look forward to hearing your position on this
pressing issue.

Sincerely,
Stella Gatziolis