Saudis chided on 'rights abuses'

Amnesty International has strongly criticised Saudi Arabia over abuses allegedly committed under its counter-terrorism programme.

In a new report the human rights group says that since 2001 thousands of Saudis have been detained for years without charge or trial.

The group's 69-page report describes Saudi Arabia's human rights record as "shocking" and "dire".

It says the international community has been far too quiet about the abuse. Full Story at BBC News.

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!

Saudi King pardons vicitm

A few weeks ago I posted a story about a woman who had been gang raped and then was sentenced to 90 lashes for the rape. Today I read this story from CTV news about the Saudi King pardoning the victim.

'Virtuous' Saudis defend 200 lashes for rape victim

Reacting to West's criticism, justice ministry says 19-year-old broke Islamic law by having an affair

Nov 25, 2007 04:30 AM
RIYADH–Saudi Arabia is defending a court's decision to sentence a woman who was gang-raped to 200 lashes, saying she was having an extramarital affair in violation of Islamic laws.

The case of the 19-year-old Shiite woman who, along with a male companion, was abducted and raped by seven men has drawn international attention. Canada has denounced the "barbaric" sentence and even the United States, a close ally of the conservative kingdom, offered mild criticism.

"The woman in the case is married and has confessed to establishing a relationship in violation of sharia law," the Saudi Justice Ministry said in a statement yesterday.

It said she and her companion were alone in a dark area outdoors when they were noticed by the men who later raped them.

Read the full story from the Toronto Star.