Human Rights — Afghanistan Women
Farkhunda Malikzada
Back in early July 2015, Al Jazeera’s 101 East ran a program / documentary as to how the Women of Afghanistan are being oppressed and abused by the opposite gender over there; why that being the afghan Men — not implying all though.
It is a sad one to know of it, what more when we live in the “21st Century”, one would think we became ‘civilized’, that is where you’re some what wrong. Instead, we jumped back in time. We are re-living the old, bronze age and clinging onto to the age-old twisted mentality and act upon it in such ridiculous manner.
It is foul and disgusting that Women are being tormented in the worst way possible; what more by their very own family — parents, as per the documentary attached below.
Thirteen years after the fall of the Taliban, women in Afghanistan continue to suffer oppression and abuse. Almost nine out of 10 Afghan women face physical, sexual or psychological violence, or are forced into marriage. In the majority of cases the abuse is committed by the people they love and trust the most — their families. While shelters are trying to provide protection and legal help to some, many women return to abusive homes because there is no alternative. Unable to escape their circumstances, some are turning to drastic measures like suicide to end their suffering.
In March 2015, an angry mob in Afghanistan, punched, kicked, stomped, ran her over with a vehicle, stone her with large slabs of rocks and finally burnt a women named Farkhunda aged 27, accused of burning the Quran (the holy Islamic book). Accusations later found it to be lies.
This shocked Afghanistan, what more the World, and I can recall many took it to social media, particularly Twitter with the Hashtag #farkhunda & #justiceforfarkhunda
The enraged mob of male attackers punched, slapped, kicked and even tossed her off a Kabul (capital of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) bridge. Lastly, they set her body on fire and threw her body into the river close by.
After that horrible, heinous act, the public gathered and started to protest by taking it to the streets. They then marched towards the Supreme Court in the thousands — loud and pronounced they were.
The women there even carried Farkhunda’s coffin on their shoulders through the streets. Some even painted their faces in red and some were holding placards with Farkhunda’s face on it.
These brave Women were certainly not alone. The Men who were clearly disgusted by the cruel killing, were present and took part in the protest rally.
A total of 49 men were charged for the killing of Farkhunda — 19 of the were Police men on duty on that very dreadful day. After several days, the verdict was handed out:
- 26 acquitted
- 11 Police officers sentenced to 1 Year in prison
- 8 were given 16 years in prison
- 4 death sentence
On 2 July 2015, an appeals court overturned the death sentences for those convicted in the mob killing. Three of those had their sentences reduced to 20 years in jail, while the fourth was re-sentenced to 10 years prompting street protests and a debate on women’s rights.
Source: Wikipedia / The Telegraph
BBC interviewed Farkhunda’s mother, Bibi Hajera. Kindly note that the following video is NSFW (Not Safe For Work) as the documentary may contain distressing images. You have been warned.
It’s a question of control and power. You use religion, you use culture, you use tradition, you use gender to keep the power, to keep control. — Sima Samar, women’s rights activist and chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission
Well worth the read:-
- Justice through the Eyes of Afghan Women: Cases of Violence against Women Addressed through Mediation and Court Adjudication by United Nations Peace Operations
Articles in regards to Farkhunda’s vicious killing:-
- Why I am ashamed to be a man in Afghanistan
- An Afghan woman’s murder has led to sound and fury, but little justice
- Afghan Panel to Call for Retrial in Death of Farkhunda, a Female Scholar
- After daughter’s mob killing, Afghan family lives in fear
- Farkhunda: The making of a martyr
- The Killing of Farkhunda
- Farkhunda murder: Afghan court overturns death sentences
I think we badly need to put an end to violence against Women, not solely in Afghanistan but throughout the World. Such acts are foul and not be treated lightly. Violence against women should not go unpunished. The legal system will have to be just and in accordance to Human Rights Law; a standardized framework. Equality is much needed.
Break this cycle of violence (barbaric attacks on Humans).
Farewell, Farkhunda Malikzada (1988–2015)
Originally published on my old self-hosted blog at sprybear.com
