RTFA: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7096814.stm

ccording to the Arab News newspaper, the 19-year-old woman, who is from Saudi Arabia’s Shia minority, was gang-raped 14 times in an attack in the eastern province a year-and-a-half ago.

Seven men from the majority Sunni community were found guilty of the rape and sentenced to prison terms ranging from just under a year to five years.

But the victim was also punished for violating Saudi Arabia’s laws on segregation that forbid unrelated men and women from associating with each other. She was initially sentenced to 90 lashes for being in the car of a strange man.

On appeal, the Arab News reported that the punishment was not reduced but increased to 200 lashes and a six-month prison sentence.

The rapists also had their prison terms doubled. But the sentences are still low considering they could have faced the death penalty.

The Arab News quoted an official as saying the judges had decided to punish the girl for trying to aggravate and influence the judiciary through the media.

The victim’s lawyer was suspended from the case, has had his licence to work confiscated, and faces a disciplinary session.

Fuck cultural relativism, this is evil.

  • fumf
    Thank you for the great comment. I wish there was something I could do to help. Unfortunately, individuals like us have little power. Hopefully being part of the 'media' will do some good. The United States is allied with Saudi Arabia and this needs to be addressed in a government setting. However, our current policy is more concerned with oil than ethics.
  • secret
    There is no question that this is a violation of the worst order. To punish a victim for a barbaric crime committed against her is almost beyond comprehension. For a judge - trusted to pass out justice -to do so is obscene.
    However, look at the sentences rapists get in the UK. What sort of messages is this supposedly civilized democracy sending out to rapists?
    As women we can scream, shout and cry about this violation of our dignity. What we also must do is add our voices to organizations that work tirelessly to change the laws, to put pressure on the situation. The judges refer to the media in this case as an excuse to add punishment. Praise be for the media for it is the media who disgrace these judges and sow the seed of rebellion in each of of hearts.
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