17 December 2007

Good news: Saudi king pardons rape victim, spares her the 200 lashes

I have written before about the young Saudi woman who was sentenced to 200 lashes and 6 months in prison after being gang raped. The sentence was passed because of the fact that she had been alone in a car with a male friend. Both she and the friend were gang-raped that day and subsequently sentenced to harsh punishment. How's that for adding insult to injury?

Today I have good news: The Associated Press is reporting that Saudi King Abdullah has pardoned the woman.

This is another example of the power of public outcry.

As I've learned in my 20+ years with Amnesty International, when individuals and nations speak out against injustices, sometimes it really does pay off.

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