Good News - Saudi rape survivor pardoned by King

  • Published on 18/12/2007
  • by: KateL
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Saudi newspapers are reporting that the King has pardoned the 'girl from Al-Qatif'. The attention brought by the international community played an important part in protecting the human rights of the rape survivor. Thankyou to the hundreds of supporters who took action on this case.

Background

A 19-year-old Saudi Arabian woman, from the city of al-Qatif in Eastern Saudi Arabia, was convicted of being alone in private with a man who was not a member of her immediate family (an offence known as Khilwa under Shariah law), after reportedly meeting with a male companion in 2006. The man, whose name is not known, was convicted on the same charge. Their original sentence of 90 lashes was increased on 15 November 2007 to 200 lashes and a six-month prison term.

The woman and her male companion were kidnapped at knifepoint by a gang of seven men shortly after they met in 2006. The male companion was attacked by the gang, but was then released. However, the woman was raped by the gang. Hopefully this case will also serve to bring about reform within Saudi Arabia.

The young woman's lawyer worked to bring this human rights violation to international attention and was suspended from practising law. He awaits the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.

For more information read The Age article.

This blog entry was created by KateL and does not necessarily represent the position or opinion of Amnesty International Australia.

Comments

Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.

The comment ‘As muslims we know there is no justice in Saudi Arabia. In fact we know that the Saudis interpret Islam to suit themselves’ is being apologetic for religion. Instead of trying to give good publicity (i.e. defend) religion it is better to do something to prevent such mindless, cruel acts occurring to such innocent people. Every human needs their basic rights respected. Religion does not need its irrational, subjective teachings protected.

comment by:

Darren Prentice
20/12/2007
04:27 PM

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As Muslims we know that there is no justice in Saudia Arabia. In fact we know that the Saudis interpret Islam to suit themselves.In this case they have increased the victim’s punishment because it was revealed to the world and they have reduced the guilty ones’ punishment. I hope that the pardon is true and they will stop harassing their own journalists
Amina

comment by:

Amina Daligand
20/12/2007
03:26 PM

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Rights and reason yet again must do battle with religion and its absence of reason. The real criminals are the lawmakers/enforcers and the gang (probably ‘relgious’ idiots). The completely innocent, meanwhile, are made to feel guilty and to suffer for what is neither good nor bad, just normal.

comment by:

Darren Prentice
20/12/2007
02:04 PM

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This case demonstrates once again that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness!

comment by:

Geoff Allshorn
20/12/2007
12:50 PM

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Strange that many of those selfreighteous people embrace all the mod-cons their money can buy, but their mindset is left behind in the darkest corners of prehistoric human evolution. Thanks God for Amnesty, a wonderful group of 2 million human voices.

comment by:

one of many
20/12/2007
11:48 AM

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