How can the Australian Government, and the Live Export Industry, expect a Memorandum Of Understanding with Saudi Arabia to have any effect on animal welfare when the Saudi Government doesn't even respect basic Human Rights ? - They whip and gaol rape victims.Saudi court orders lashes, prison for rape victim17 Nov 2007A Saudi court has increased the sentence given to a gang rape victim to 200 lashes of the whip and six months in prison and ordered disciplinary action against her lawyer for talking to the media, the lawyer said.The 19-year-old Shiite woman from the town of Qatif in the Eastern Province was raped by seven men in 2006. A court had originally sentenced the woman to 90 lashes and the rapists to jail terms of between 10 months and five years.
The victim's lawyer, Abdul-Rahman al-Lahem, said another court had increased her sentence on Wednesday to 200 lashes and six months in prison. It ordered the rapists to serve between two and nine years in jail.
"The court blamed the girl for being alone with unrelated men, but it should have taken the humane view that it cannot be considered her fault," Mr Lahem said, adding the case still has an appeal stage before the verdict becomes final.
Mr Lahem said the case highlighted deep problems in the Saudi justice system, which rights activists hope judicial reforms announced this year by King Abdullah will help to solve.
"The aim of the reforms is to create a new judicial reality," he said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/17/2093611.htm
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