Dear Editor,
On Wednesday, November 5, your publication carried a headline ‘Somali teen executed for adultery had been raped-UN.’ I read and re-read the article, along with a statement from a Unicef official which I consider apt: “A child was victimized twice − first by the perpetrators of the rape and then by those responsible for administering justice.”
Some 2000 years ago Jesus challenged the accusers of a woman caught in adultery with these words. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Today the similar Sharia law still exists.
It was reported that the teenager was placed in a hole to be stoned by some 50 men whilst the spectators numbered some 1000 people.
This article seems not to have evoked any comment locally, even from women’s groups. Women, where are your voices in relation to this act and others which are still on the statute books of some countries?
Minister Manickchand must be commended for initiating legislation to change the punishment for rape, and also for her work in trying to stamp out violence against women.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
