26 November 2007

King Abdullah Bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud
The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques
Office of His Majesty the King
Royal Court, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Your Majesty,

Re: Appeal for the uplifting of punishment against  the rape victim known as ‘the woman from Qatif'

As a Muslim women's group that believes in Islam's commitment to justice and equality,  Sisters in Islam is alarmed at the recent inhumane sentence of 200 lashes and 6 months in prison meted out to a gang-rape survivor known as "The Girl from al-Qatif".  

Islam is a religion of mercy and compassion that respects women and upholds the principles of justice and equality.  We believe that your government, being respected the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has a great responsibility in translating these values and principles in real life situations such as this.

We urge your government to make a clear distinction between the crime of rape and zina. Rape is both a sin (for the rapist) and also a violation against another human being. We urge that the rapists be punished with sentences that will reflect the severity of their crimes and for the rape victim be given full medical attention and that her physical, mental and emotional well being is fully taken care of by professionals. As for zina, authorities should take caution that the right to privacy which is enshrined in Islam is not violated and that Islam gives room for forgiveness.

We also wish to call on your authorities to halt the floggings immediately, as the use of corporal punishment constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, in violation of Saudi Arabia's obligations as a state party to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), and Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: ''No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment".

Yours sincerely,

Zainah Anwar

Executive Director