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November 30, 2007
Woman Flogged for Getting Raped?
The Saudi Injustice Ministry announced that a girl gang raped by seven men was then sentenced to six months in prison and 90 lashes which became 200 lashes when she appealed her case.
"In 2006 a Shiite Saudi 19-year-old, known only as the "Girl from Qatif," said she had recently been married and met a high school friend in his car to retrieve a picture of herself from him. While in a car with him, two men got into the vehicle and forced them to drive to a secluded area where others waited, and then she and her companion were both raped."
She was sentenced to prison and 90 lashes for being alone with a man not related to her and when her lawyer, Abdul Rahman al-Lahem, appealed the sentence, he was removed from the case, his license suspended and the penalty doubled to 200.
Where is the moral outrage from our hand wringing liberals and tough feminists in America and the rest of the world? I don't see any protests marches or candle light vigils over this barbaric injustice.
Please send or fax an urgent letter to the King of Saudi Arabia. Here are some key points you can include in your letter:
Expressing your grave concern that the woman known as "The Girl from al-Qatif" and her male companion are at risk of being flogged calling on the authorities to halt the floggings immediately, as the use of corporal punishment constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, in violation of Saudi Arabia's obligations as a state party to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), and Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states 'No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment' calling on the authorities to declare the sentence of Khilwa against the woman and her companion null and void as it contravenes international human rights standards, in particular the right to privacy expressing particular concern that the woman has been sentenced to flogging after having been gang raped, and that her physical and psychological suffering has been exacerbated by her trial and the sentence of 200 lashes urging that she be afforded all necessary assistance, including appropriate medical attention
calling for the sentences of flogging against those convicted of the rape to be commuted to a humane punishment.
Suggested wording for your letter is provided once you have logged into the Action Centre. You are encouraged to edit the letter so it is written in your words. There are no reliable email addresses available for Saudi Arabian authorities; you will need to print and then post or fax your letter. If you receive a response please let us know.
Send your letters to:
King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud
The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques
Office of His Majesty the King
Royal Court, Riyadh
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: 0011 966 1403 1185
Posted by Post Scripts at November 30, 2007 12:26 PM
Comments
Sentencing anyone for their own misfotune would seem counter-intuitive. Her misfortune in having been raped surely itself should mean that those who carried out the rape were the true criminals, not her. Set her free, get her the help she surely must need, and apply the rod instead to her rapists. Better yet, castrate themj they've just a stupid PR job for Islam as well..
sincerely, J. Blight
Posted by: james blight at January 29, 2008 03:23 PM