Saudi Gang Rape Victim's Sentence Increased to 200 Lashes

By Jeralyn, Section Foreign Affairs
Posted on Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 07:53:17 PM EST
Tags: Sharia Law (all tags)

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Saudi Arabia's Qatif General Court has revised the sentence of a 19 year old gang rape victim. The woman was originally sentenced to 90 lashes for being in the company of a male who was not a family member. But, because she and her lawyer publicized her plight, her sentence has been increased to 6 months in jail and 200 lashes.

Her lawyer, civil rights activist Abdulrahman al-Lahem, has been removed from the case, stripped of his law license and told to show up for a disciplinary hearing next month.

No matter how many times I read this article, I just keep shaking my head. How is it possible that Sharia law still exists? Just another reason to keep religion and government separate.

More....

The Saudi Constitution:

Article 7 Government in Saudi Arabia derives power from the Holy Koran and the Prophet's tradition.
Article 8 [Government Principles] Government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is based on the premise of justice, consultation, and equality in accordance with the Islamic Shari'ah.
....Article 23 [Islam] The state protects Islam; it implements its Shari'ah; it orders people to do right and shun evil; it fulfills the duty regarding God's call.

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Saudi Gang Rape Victim's Sentence Increased to 200 Lashes | 26 comments (26 topical)

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Frontline (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by tnthorpe on Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 08:32:08 PM EST

has some good reporting and links on the house of cards that is the House of Saud.

This is right up there with this incident:
Saudi Arabia's religious police stopped schoolgirls from leaving a blazing building because they were not wearing correct Islamic dress, according to Saudi newspapers.
...
The religious police are widely feared in Saudi Arabia. They roam the streets enforcing dress codes and sex segregation, and ensuring prayers are performed on time.

it's the only thing keeping (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by cpinva on Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 11:31:42 PM EST

the house of saud in power. were they to sever their alliance with the mullahs, the whole kingdom would come crashing down on their heads.

this is your classic "divine right" monarchy, inspired by those of europe. of course, the house of saud doesn't do history very well, or they'd have noticed that the last of them came to an end with the destruction of the ottoman empire, at the end of wwI.

Kind reminds me of the Shah (none / 0) (#6)
by jondee on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 09:39:11 AM EST

who had what was described by many as the most brutal regime in the last fifty years; or Pinochet; or any number of others.

If only "the Left" had protested more..

Apparently, to some, the barbarism isnt the problem so much as the "interests" of those practicing it.

If only the Saudis would be satisified with waterboarding.


: it dosnt leave any marks (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by jondee on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 10:16:50 AM EST

Where are the protests?? (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by Edger on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 07:58:07 AM EST

The Bush Administration has been cozying up to and supporting repressive authoritarian dictatorial regimes like the House of Saud as much as possible.

Why do I see no mass demonstrations in front of the White House? Why are there so few wingnuts who claim, when it's convenient and they want to try to use it a s stick to beat "the left" with, that no one oppses this kind of crap. Why are there so few wingnuts trying to shout down dinnerjacket of Crawford whenever he appears from under his rock? As

Jeralyn writes, why does Shari law still exist? Why do wingnuts support Sharia Law?

It exists because we allow it to exist, just as they allowed slavery to exist. Just as they allowed Jim Crow to exist. Both to their shame. And they support it because they find it a useful surrogate they can use to oppress and demean people with, while at the same time retaining a convenient target for their blame shifting.

If the wingnuts that make up the nutbar extremist wing of the Right would spend less time trying to blame shift and started protesting against that terror that stares them in the face from their mirrors every morning, maybe these states would start standing up and changing.

Instead they see the US in political turmoil and draw the logical conclusion that they can do as they please, since they have the support of those in the US who have created that turmoil while doing their best to destroy America.

None of that means anything (1.00 / 2) (#10)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 07:34:00 PM EST

If the Bush admin is bad... why is that an excuse for the Left to not demo against Shari Law and womens rights??

It isn't an acceptable excuse. And you know it.

The truth is that the Left has exhibited no concern for the victims.

All I read from you is "Bush bad."

Try to grasp this concept.

It is possible to condemn two "bads" at the same time.

That you don't defines your priorities and beliefs.


We do. (5.00 / 0) (#13)
by Edger on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 08:06:49 PM EST

Read it again. Leave your avoidance and fear behind this time.


Are you a closet woman hater?? (1.00 / 2) (#16)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 10:43:16 PM EST

Why don't you start supporting the effort to eliminate Shari law and establish a democracy in Iraq and the ME???


You can't read either, huh? (5.00 / 0) (#18)
by Edger on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 12:04:47 AM EST

How does it feel to write such drivel, and then read and realize what idiocy you've written?

You do realize what complete utter mindless gibbering idiocy you just wrote?

Do you?


Can't answer the question can you. (1.00 / 1) (#20)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 09:23:26 AM EST

Could I have just one little comment that Shari law treats women exceedingly bad???

As Jeralyn wrote:

How is it possible that Sharia law still exists?

Why can't you agree with that?? You claim the US has caused all the problems for the past 50 years, yet you won't condemn rape victims being lashed, possibility to death??


: Read my comment again. (5.00 / 0) (#21)
by Edger on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 09:45:45 AM EST

You'll fine exactly what you're looking for.
Unless you're as stupid as you appear to be, which I don't think you are. But I could be wrong, right? Right. Wrong.
Are you?

People here seem to (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by jondee on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 01:08:58 PM EST

forget that "the WOT"(dont let the title or the profiteering fool you). is primarily concerned with improving the average M.E citizen's lot.

Dont let the rights past record of propping up any brutal dictator willing to play ball fool you. They're the party that cares.


Please read your history. (none / 0) (#26)
by jnitzh on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 12:37:21 PM EST

The house of Saud was put in place due to the Versailles negotiations in 1919, and since they are the internationally sanctioned governing body of SA th US has to deal with them. Why has EVERY president since WWII supported them? Because given a choice between Anarchy, an extremist mullah government like Iran, or the status quo, the current regime is generally considered the least evil.

As far as "wingnuts support shari law", I haven't seen ANYBODY but muslim extremists supporting Sharia.

"because we allow it to exist"??? By all means go tell the Saudi's how to run their country, - don't think they'll listen to you.

"Slavery", "Jim Crow" - again please read your history! The first Republican president was .... Abraham Lincoln! Abolition was the founding plank of the Repulican party. It was Lincoln's Democrat VP Andrew Johnson who tried to prevent change in the south after the civil war was over, and it was southern Democrats who faught integration and civil rights through the 70's.

I think what's happening to this woman is an ATROCITY, but I also think the best thing that could happen for her and all of the other oppressed minorities in the M.E. is the formation of a democratically based state to set an example for the region.

Unfortunately given the choice between Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad I'd still have to support Abdullah.


Where are the protests?? (1.00 / 1) (#3)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 07:40:25 AM EST

Why do I see no mass demonstrations in front of the SA embassy? Why were there no females trying to shout down dinnerjacket of Iran while he was lecturing at one of our previously great universities?? As Jeralyn writes, why does Shari law still exist?

It exists because we allow it to exist, just as we allowed slavery to exist. Just as we allowed Jim Crow to exist. Both to our shame.

If the Left would spend less time trying to stop the WOT on terror and started protesting against that terror then maybe these states would start standing up and changing.

Instead they see the US in political turmoil and draw the logical conclusion that they can do as they please.

Why aren't YOU there protesting? (5.00 / 4) (#5)
by Dadler on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 07:59:06 AM EST

Or is it for everyone else BUT you to go out and march at the SA embassy?

Why are you not calling on your beloved Bush administration to stop funding, arming and enabling their PERSONAL FRIENDS the Saudi tyrants?

And, by the way, here's some of those Muslims you decry for not protesting...protesting, outside that same embassy.


Well wunderbar (1.00 / 2) (#8)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 06:16:21 PM EST

I am pleased to see a protest.

Now, where is NOW?? Where are the anti-war protestors who spit on a disabled vet?

The facts are that the Left doesn't care what happens to Moslem women. What the Left cares about is electing Demos who they think will give them power.

That they are wrong should be amply evident, but you will not take your blinders off.


Where are YOU? (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Edger on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 07:31:21 PM EST

Dadler asked you two questions....

You.


Read my comment to you. (1.00 / 2) (#11)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 07:36:12 PM EST

And asking an ancient man why he can't control the Left, and NOW, is an exceedingly stupid question.

You should learn to accept being ignored.


You still hope to find someone here (5.00 / 0) (#14)
by Edger on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 08:17:07 PM EST

stupid enough to think you make sense, or are here for honest discussion?

Do you?

And you can't, or more likely just won't, have the common courtesy to reply to his questions?

Can you?

What a sad, pitiful man you are.


Nice personal attack (1.00 / 1) (#15)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 10:41:06 PM EST

but that is what you do.

Like squeaky and jondee, your worth is now only in defining who you are.

Now, tell us how the evil US is the cause of all that is bad in the world....

and pay no attention to the screams of the rape victim as she is lashed, most likely to death.

How disgusting.


Awwww. ppj. (5.00 / 0) (#17)
by Edger on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 12:00:49 AM EST

Your breaking my heart. Did I not do well?

If I wanted to insult you, I'd make it really obvious, so that even you'd know it was happening.

That was mere description, so that you could misread it.


Insult me?? (1.00 / 1) (#19)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 09:16:33 AM EST

edger. Before you can insult someone they must care about what you think, and believe that others do not know you well enough to make the insult effective.

Your reputation is well known here, and I have your really astonishing comments available for display. Which I have done, and will do again.

Now, since your memory seems to be failing, let me again note that I do not care what you think about me. That is not unique. Adults with a reasonable amount of self esteem and self confidence are usually not overly concerned about what people who have repeatedly attacked them think.

Have a nice day.


: heh! (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by Edger on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 10:34:40 AM EST

You sure whine a lot for someone who doesn't care.

The Left, the Left (5.00 / 0) (#23)
by jondee on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 12:12:32 PM EST

blah,blah,blah.

Someone's Post '68 Stress Disorder is kicking in again.

"The facts are": based on what empirical evidence; that the amoral way you view the world is the way everyone else does?


: Btw (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by jondee on Sun Nov 18, 2007 at 12:17:25 PM EST

How is training Latin American death squads to torture uppity peasants and nuns marally superior to what the mullahs do?

BTW (1.00 / 2) (#12)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 17, 2007 at 07:37:14 PM EST

See my answer to edger.
