Feminist Peace Network

The Saudis are continuing to piously justify the recent sentencing of a 19 year old victim of a gang rape to 6 months in jail and 200 lashes for iding in a car with men who were not her relatives, issuing the following statement, according to the Toronto Star.

“”We reiterate that judicial rulings in this virtuous country … are
based on God’s book and the traditions of his Prophet and that no ruling is issued without being based on evidence,” said the statement carried by official news agency SPA.”

More ominously, the court has said that if the woman appeals the sentence and continues to use the media to raise awareness of the case, it is possible that the sentence will be increased, giving the clear message that the Saudis also consider it a crime to shed light on their deeply misogynist laws.

“The woman’s husband has told local media they would appeal, even though the judge had warned that the sentence could be increased again if she loses the appeal.

The justice ministry noted that the law gives the right of appeal, but warned that “resorting to the media” could have “a negative effect on the other parties in the case.”"

Can’t wait to hear the diplomatic explanation…

“Brazilian authorities are investigating reports that a fifteen-year-old girl kept in a police cell with at least 20 men for a month was repeatedly subjected to sexual abuse.

Human rights groups claimed that the girl was repeatedly raped and forced to exchange sex acts for food.

“She was raped from day one” a Children and Adolescent Defense Centre (Cedeca) spokeswoman told AFP, adding that the number of men sharing the cell with the teenager varied from 20 to 34.

While media reports suggest the girl was being held on suspicion of robbery, human rights groups say she was never formally charged.”

“Reports of the case have sparked outrage in Brazil, particularly as it follows an earlier incident in which a 23-year-old woman was held for a month in a prison cell with 70 men.

Brazilian prisons are notorious for overcrowding and poor conditions.”

In regards to the first part of that last sentence, so what and in regards to the 2nd part, that seems like a tad bit of an understatement.