Noteworthy Event

11/21/2008: “Gang – Rape Victim Sentenced to 200 Lashes”

Background:
In November, an 18- year old woman from Qatif, Saudi Arabia, went to meet a male friend, who she had a relationship with in the past, to get back photos that he had been threatening to blackmail her with. The two were standing outside a mall when they were abducted at knife point by several men. The woman was gang- raped 14 times by 7 men, and the male friend was raped also.
When the case was taken to court, the woman who was raped was sentenced to 90 lashes for being in the presence of a man who was not a family member (an offence known as Khilwa in Shariah law). The women believing this was an inappropriate verdict due to circumstances appealed the decision, only to receive an even more severe sentence of 200 lashes and 6 months imprisonment. The lawyer defending her in the appeal has had his license confiscated and could possibly have charges brought against him.
The men who raped the man and woman were sentenced to 1-5 years imprisonment and between 80 and 1000 lashes. Meaning, the woman who was raped was initially given around the same punishment as at least one of the rapists.
The Saudi justice ministry defended the verdict initially saying the woman was guilty of ‘illegal mingling.’ It then supported the appeal decision, and then went on to warn against agitation through the media – which could have been one of the reasons they did not support the woman, they believed she and her lawyer used media to highlight their case.
Amnesty International points this out as obvious flaw in the system, for this panel of interrogators and judges are all males and are insensitive to cases involving private matters and women. They also note that the ‘Khilwa’ law is inconsistent with international human rights standards.

This article highlights abuses of women and their rights in this culture. Even Amnesty International notes one of the problems as being that the entire panel is made up of men. Men who have been raised in this society and made to believe women are inferior to men, and I believe this is shown in the ruling.
The article also brings up Hillary Clinton’s attempt to help the seemingly powerless girl. The question then is when do you stop thinking things are culturally relative and begin to think they are wrong, to the extent that you would feel the need to intervene. Or if that point even exists.
The culturally relative point is that this woman broke the law and anyone who breaks the law is punished; this is true in all societies. Laws are made to keep order, and they are made according to social norms specific to every culture; depending on the conduct and behavior that is acceptable in that society. If there were no penalties no one would abide by the laws.

Read Further: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd%5B157%5D=x-157-558645

Citation:
“Saudi Arabia: UPDATE: Saudis back lashing sentence of a raped woman.” Women Living Under Muslim Law. 21 Nov 2006
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd%5B157%5D=x-157-558645