In Afghanistan women are the primary target when it comes to violence. Naheed Samadi Bahram is a program director for Women for Afghan Women, an international women’s right organization. Bahrain is helping in the case for this young child. What is unusual about this case is that the young girl was the one to step forward and seek justice for herself. According to media reports, the rape occurred in May in the girls village, Kunduz. The suspect, Mullah Mohammad Amin, was a local mullah who taught the girls religious studies. One day in May he asked three girls to stay after class, including the victim, to help clean the Mosque. Amin then took the victim, tied her hands, taped her mouth, and raped her. The victim went home and was examined for rape, which was confirmed by a doctor. Amin was prosecuted under the Elimination of Violence against Women law, passed in 2009. Najia Nasim, country director for WAW said it was unusual to seek justice for cases like these because they usually aren’t reported or the case is never followed up because the women don’t want to bring shame to their family, some are not aware of the law, and others don’t trust the government.
Last Saturday the victim faced her perpetrator in court. With a scarf covering her face she wept most of the time. Amin admitted to having sex with the young 10 year old but tried to persuade the court that it was strictly consensual and the victim seduced him. The victim reacted strongly to that statement and then spoke in court. Crying the victim said, “You are a liar… I never loved you… you forced me to do this, you ruined my life… God will hate you for what you did to me, he will punish you.” Amins lawyer proposed he should be given 100 lashed as punishment but the judge denied, giving Amin a maximum of 20 years.
After the trial Naheed Samadi Bahram said,” To some extent this is a victory, but we still have a long way to go.”
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/26/world/asia/afghan-girl-rape/index.html?hpt=hp_t4
Nick07 • Feb 13, 2015 at 2:18 pm
Its dissapointing to hear about these things happening in our world. People should have more self respect and respect for other people. Its great that they locked that guy up, because who knows how many other girls he would of raped.This girl did the right thing for turning her rapist in. Do you think they handled this correctly? what could they have done different?
Dorito16 • Feb 13, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Rape is a cruel crime, not only do men commit it but women as well. I dont understand how a grown male, cant even call him a man because he’s a coward, but a grown up can commit something like this to such a young child and then lie and claim she wanted it. Its a shame that someone can have absolutely no morals, no self respect, nor respect for others and commit something like this.
nodrama • Feb 9, 2015 at 8:41 pm
It’s tragic to hear about a little girl go through this, I have a little sister myself so I can only imagine what their parents are going through. Even though is a sad case, I believe women in Afghanistan can get something positive out of this, and that is to speak up and help stop men hurting innocent little girls like the one in this case. Taking someone’s innocence in that way is unjustified and no matter the consequences the damage I already done. My prayers go out to all the women that experienced something like this.
lex • Feb 9, 2015 at 1:58 pm
People can be so disgusting and cruel. How could you rape a 10 years old….one whom he taught “religious studies” to. He may be getting 20 years in prison, but getting raped is something that’s always going to stick with this little girl. Give him 20 years and those 100 lashes if you ask me.
dr95mike • Feb 9, 2015 at 1:50 pm
I hate how in this world some men exist to do only bad(Mullah Mohammad Amin). You must be crazy to rape a 10 year old, especially to blame her at court for supposedly seducing you to do it? Where in the law, bible, religions, etc. says to go rape a young girl for your satisfaction? I’m glad he got 20 years, maybe now he will learn to not ever touch a girl.