75 Year Old Woman Sentenced To 40 Lashes

A 75-year-old widow in Saudi Arabia has been sentenced to 40 lashes and four months in jail for mingling with two young men who are not close relatives, drawing new criticism for the kingdom's ultraconservative religious police and judiciary.

The woman's lawyer told The Associated Press on Monday that he would appeal the verdict against Khamisa Sawadi, who is Syrian but was married to a Saudi. The lawyer, Abdel Rahman al-Lahem, said the verdict issued March 3 also demands that Sawadi be deported after serving her sentence. Read the full story here.

This is disgusting, and will probably take place. Once again religion (a good thing?) is the reason.

You may be thinking that there is nothing you can do, well I am here to tell you that there is plenty you can do.

• Start by walking more and using less oil. Saudi Arabia and countries like it will listen ONLY when their human rights abuses affect their pocketbooks.
• Write to your MP and tell them that you want Canada to officially object to this punishment. 
• Support human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Which reminds me, when I first became interested in Amnesty International about 15 years ago. I was told by a born again christian to "be careful" as these "groups" can be used to set criminals free. So much for gods love!