Posted by REV. ANDRE G. DENIS D.D.
February 7, 2013 -
#phaese5
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A Somali court has sentenced a woman to a year in prison after she accused security forces of raping her.
A journalist who interviewed her was also sentenced.
The Mogadishu court ruled that the 27-year-old woman made false rape accusations against security forces during an interview last month, and in so doing insulted the government, according to rights groups. Court says a medical test shows she... was not raped
"A midwife testified ... that the woman was not raped after conducting a finger test, an unscientific and degrading practice that has long been discredited because it is not a credible test," Human Rights Watch said in a statement. journalist Abdiaziz Ibrahim interviewed the woman but never filed a story, authorities also found him guilty of fabricating a false claim, The court deferred the rape victim's sentence for one year because she is breastfeeding, and ordered the release of her husband and two others who had helped her meet the journalist, "This case has been flawed by serious violations of due process from the start
official smears of the defendants in the media, and the abusive police efforts to discredit and intimidate a woman who alleged rape, point to a government more concerned with deflecting criticism than protecting ordinary citizens. Women should be able to seek justice for rape and other gender-based violence without fear of retribution, and journalists in Somalia must be free to work without being subjected to violence and harassment." The international outcry comes after the United States' official recognition of the Somali government after more than two decades. The case came to light as the Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was visiting the United States and Britain for the first time since taking the reins last year.
