Lashes for media over Saudi verdict?

Arab News:

The case of what has come to be called the Qatif girl is the talk of the media in Saudi and abroad; it is full of issues that we need to examine closely. To begin with, it raises questions about the country’s legal system, the fear of the power of the media and the secrecy that courts prefer to shroud cases in. There is also the social ruling against the girl, which is another important issue that has to be thoroughly looked into.

To put it bluntly, the picture that emerges is that justice is absent from so many court cases in our country. This girl’s case and the way it has gone shows us that the verdict was reached from day one. With no regard for evidence. The verdict was a given and that was that; any proceedings happening afterwards seem to have been only a formality. Otherwise, what possible explanation is there for the increased sentences after the first ruling? And how can we come to grips with the possibility that yet another increase in the sentence is just around the corner merely because she refuses to accept the second one?

The Minister of Justice has commented that people who have a problem with any ruling should appeal, instead of “stirring up agitation through the media that may not be objective and cannot grant anyone any right as much as it can negatively affect the other parties involved in the case.”

I beg to differ with the minister here, because as citizens in this country, we have the right to voice concerns about a case that could apply to any Saudi woman. Not everyone can go to the court and appeal. Add to this that these trials are not accessible to the public which makes it the role of the press to discuss the issues — and if the ministry finds the coverage “emotional” and “not objective,” then there is enough space in the same papers for official statements explaining the misunderstood implications of such rulings.

...

To say that for being in a public street with a man she deserved to be raped 14 times is simply beyond belief. But even if, for the sake of argument, we allow this comment to pass, how could it apply to other cases of rape in the Kingdom? We have simple questions to put to those judges: Were all the rape victims in other cases out with strange men? What about boys who are raped in similar circumstances? Boys do not have to stay at home nor do they need a chaperone. If they are raped, will those judges say to them “You deserved this”? And what about the girl’s companion in this case who was also raped?

...

Saudi justice has taken a whacking over this case and deserves it. It is one of the most outrageous verdicts ever recorded. Democrat candidates for president slammed the verdict, but they also couldn't help themselves and slammed President Bush too in this CNN report. This is not a case about the President of the US. It is a case about the lack of justice in Saudi Arabia for a victim of a horrific crime who is being punished for being a victim. It is not the time for official interference. It is time for the Saudis to hear the outrage of the whole world to this injustice.