June 17, 2010 – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

A court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has convicted an 18 year old girl (“LH”) to one year in prison for “consensual sex.” The UAE court convicted her because she agreed to be alone in the car with a man “YM.”

As previously reported, the teenage girl had previously alleged that she was gang raped by six men. the UAE “The Nation” newspaper reported that LH had “12 bruises ranging from 1cm to 7 cm long on her upper lip, hands, thighs, knee, and behind her left ear.” LH indicated that her brother had beaten her, although the beatings happened at different times.

However, after the teenage girl “LH” filed charges of rape, according to the “The Nation” on May 25, “LH” was then charged with the crime of “extramarital sex,” which could have led to a penalty of “lashes and a maximum sentence of life in prison,” with a minimum of three years in prison. LH then pleaded with the court to allow her to withdraw the rape charges, while one of the accused rapists laughed at her in court. According to the LA Times, LH appeared before the court “shackled and clothed in an inmate’s uniform of hunter green and a black headscarf” and “she rescinded the allegations ‘to get out of’ jail, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.”

The UAE court had reportedly considered the lesser criminal charge of “deception” against “LH,” but chose to convict of “consensual sex,” with a sentence of 1 year in prison.

One of the alleged rapists was also convicted of “consensual sex” with a sentence of 1 year in prison. Two of the men were given sentences of three months in prison “for being alone in the company of a woman.” The other men were only given fines.

According to “The Nation” that fines represented an application of Sharia law only, whereas the other convictions were a combination of UAE law and Sharia law together.

Human Rights Watch’s Middle East North Africa researcher Nadya Khalife told the Los Angeles Times that “The major legal ramification for women who have been raped is that they will most likely be charged with illegal sex or sex outside marriage. Illicit sex carries a harsh sentence of imprisonment and/or flogging.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports women’s rights and children’s rights and protection for all those who live in fear of oppression and violence.

We urge all to support universal human rights and dignity for all people, in accordance with our universal human rights.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.

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Related R.E.A.L. Postings:

UAE: Muslim Woman Faces Lashes, Life in Prison for Sex

UAE: Victims of Rape in Dubai Face Jail

United Arab Emirates: Pair Jailed for Kissing

UAE: British Woman Raped, Then Arrested and Put in Jail for “Illegal Sex”
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Other Media Reports:

UAE The Nation: Woman who alleged rape jailed for a year

Los Angeles Times: Dubai: Alleged victim of gang rape sentenced to one year in prison

May 25, 2010 – The Nation: Emirati woman, 18, retracts claim of rape by six men

Canadian media have reported on the conviction of Muhammad Parvez and Waqas Parvez, the 60 year old father and brother of 16 year old Muslim girl Aqsa Parvez, in the “honor killing” murder of Aqsa Parvez on December 10, 2007 in Mississauga, Canada.

This week, Muhammad and Waqas Parvez pleaded guilty to second degree murder of Aqsa Parvez. On June 16, 2010, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 18 years. It will be the decision of the Canadian National Parole board if either will be released. The Globe and Mail published an editorial questioning the necessity of accepting a plea agreement for second degree murder, which allows the possibility for parole.

Aqsa Parvez - 16 year old victim of December 10, 2007 "honor killing"

Canadian Justice Bruce Durno told a Brampton court that the actions of Muhammad Parvez and Waqas Parvez were “that twisted, chilling and repugnant mindset could imply that the family pride could at least be kept intact — or perhaps even enhanced — by having two grown men overpower and kill a vulnerable teenager.” Justice Durno stated that “It is profoundly disturbing that a 16-year-old woman, no doubt facing significant challenges adjusting to living in a very different society than her parents’, could be murdered by her father and brother for the purpose of saving the family pride.” Justice Durno concluded that the “twisted, repugnant mindset requires a sentence that sends a message to others who would be like-minded. Because of the abhorrent motivation behind this crime and the gender inequality issues, 18 years is a fit sentence.”

Muslim teenager Aqsa Parvez killed in "honor killing" in December 2007 (Photo: Courtesy Ebonie Mitchell)

The Parvez family moved from Pakistan to Mississauga, Canada in 2001. Media reports that 16 year old Aqsa Parvez spoke to school officials about abusive home conditions. She preferred to wear Western fashions, rejected the hijab, sought to spend time with friends her age, sought to have a room with a door for privacy, and was seeking to hold a part-time job. She had gone to her first movie shortly before her death in December 2007. She had run away from home twice.

Canadian prosecuting attorney Sandra Caponecchia was quoted as stating “She confided in her closest friends that her father had sworn to her on the Koran that if she ran away again, he would kill her.”

The Toronto Star reported: “Based on their admissions and Aqsa’s mother’s words that were recorded in a police interview room, Durno seemed to agree with Crown prosecutors Sandra Caponecchia and Mara Basso that they killed her to uphold the family honor in their community.”

Mississauga News reported that Tarek Fatah, founder of the Canadian Muslim Congress stated Aqsa Parvez’ murder was “a blight on Islam” and that “Canadians are justified in raising concerns as to whether this is a sign of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in their own backyard… A young life has been snuffed out — likely in the name of honor and Islam.” On June 17, 2010, the National Post reported that “Canada should expect rise in honor killings,” quoting “Amin Muhammad, a professor of psychiatry at Memorial University of Newfoundland who specializes in transcultural psychiatry.”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports women’s rights and children’s rights to live without oppression, without fear, without intimidation, and without the threat and reality of violence against them. We urge all to support such universal human rights and dignity for all people, in accordance with our universal human rights. Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.

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R.E.A.L Reports “Save Women Now”

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Other Media Reports:

— Mississauga News: Aqsa ‘just wanted to be herself’

— Toronto Sun: Murdered teen just wanted to fit in

— Globe and Mail: “For the killers of Aqsa Parvez, “culture” is no defence”

— Globe and Mail: Father, brother of slain teen sentenced to life without parole for 18 years

— Globe and Mail: Father, brother plead guilty to so-called ‘honour killing’ — Aqsa Parvez

— National Post: Canada should expect rise in honour killings, expert says

— National Post: Father, son must serve at least 18 years

— National Post: We are complicit in our silence”
— Ujjal Dosanjh: “In 2000, the United Nations estimated that 5,000 women and girls are murdered every year in honour killings, a term that masks the brutality of the crime it describes.”
— Ujjal Dosanjh: Admit honour killings for what they are