June 16, 2005
When I think nothing can shock me, in comes this
by Liza Sabater
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Woman 'ordered to marry rapist'
An Indian woman who was allegedly raped by her father-in-law is now being ordered by a Muslim council of community elders to marry him.The council says under Islamic law the rape has nullified her marriage, according to media reports.
But a top Muslim body in India has rejected the argument saying it is not valid under Sharia (Islamic) law.
What is more astounding is how the Muslim court of this woman's town is overruling the decision under Sharia law; rendering in effect, two Muslim legal interpretations to the crime. The council's decision, though, should be considered torture and a human rights violation.
Seriously.
Posted by Liza Sabater in Crime, Human Rights, Islam, Rape, Religion, Violence
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Say it loud, say it proud!
This really is positively medieval. In Venice, in the Middle Ages, if a man married the woman he raped, charges were usually dropped. This was usually the course of action with virgin girls, who found themselves married to their rapists at the ages of 11 or so.
Guido Ruggiero has done tons o' research on all of this.
But, this is 2005, not 1405, so I'm just sort of numb.
2
Comment by: monica at June 17, 2005 08:34 AM
Yes, it's worse than medieval, and it's against human rights, and it should be illegal.
However, I believe that as long as there's such a thing as Guantanamo, the phrase "should be considered torture and a human rights violation" should ideally be applied by US citizens exclusively to matters under US jurisdiction rather than other countries.
Just as a matter of etiquette, if anything.
I don't want to flame, honestly, I obviously agree with you, but I can't convey how coming across pickings of the worst of Islamic culture on US weblogs comes across from the outside in this day and age... (and no I'm not a Muslim and clearly don't much care for shariah). Even when done with the best intentions of genuine concern. I'm not flaming, I obviously agree with you, but I just can't help noticing that involuntary contrast, so to speak.
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Comment by: lorraine at June 16, 2005 05:53 PM