I can NOT get over this - the 14 year old in Bangladesh

[3timesoccermom]

I read this a few days ago and have not been able to forget it. There are so many things I can't understand. It just makes me feel sick.

Rape Victim, 14, Dies After Public Flogging in Bangladesh

Feb 3, 2011 – 7:01 PM

A 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl allegedly raped by a much older cousin has died after being publicly flogged for adultery, media reports said.

Hena Begum was sentenced to receive 100 lashes by a village council made up of elders and Muslim clerics in the district of Shariatpur, about 35 miles from the capital, Dhaka, the BBC said today.

She endured about 80 lashes before collapsing Monday, according to The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi newspaper. Her family took her to a hospital, where she died.

"What sort of justice is this? My daughter has been beaten to death in the name of justice. If it had been a proper court then my daughter would not have died," Dorbesh Khan, the girl's father, told the BBC.

Family members said Hena was raped by a 40-year-old married cousin, The Daily Star said. The man's family beat up the teen, then accused of her adultery, the newspaper said.

The very next day, she was sentenced to the flogging in a fatwa, or religious ruling, issued by the village council under Islamic Shariah law, the BBC said.

Her father was also told pay a fine of about $700, police told the BBC.

Four people, including a Muslim cleric, have been arrested in connection with Hena's death, the BBC said. Police said they were looking for another 14 people in the case.

Bangladesh's high court has ordered district officials in Shariatpur to explain why they did not protect the girl, The Daily Star said. The court ruled eight months ago that Shariah punishment was illegal.

[Mama Stu]

That is beyond disgusting. It makes me want to cry and throw up all at the same time. It is the 40 year old cousin they should have been flogging, not that poor girl

[Macaela25]

More proof that women are considered sub-human in many parts of the world. Beyond sad...we don't realize how blessed we are. At least Shariah justice is illegal, but it doesn't look like that stops it.

[skimo]

Repulsive

[motherofmolly]

this is common place in the smaller towns and out of the way areas that not many people get too. most of the time, no one hears about it. the blame almost always lays in the hands of the female as the man is never wrong.

we have to continue to educate ourselves and our children to be better and do better. our children are the future and will be the ones that can help to completely stop this.

[aimeebee]

Awful. Some of this goes on here in our country too. It isn't court ordered as punishment; but some Muslim fathers do "honor killings" of their daughters for refusing to marry their older cousins or" being too Westernized." My husband was just telling me about the Arizona father who ran over his 20 year old daughter. She moved out and tried to get away from the family/traditions, didn't want an arranged marriage.

[3timesoccermom]

You are all right about this. The thing I can't understand is HOW they can feel she was the one wrong and that she deserved what they did to her. Also, what kind of "person" could actually carry out a punishment like that on another human being?

I guess when you think about it, it's very similar to how slaves were treated here.

[CouponQueen23]

Very very!! SAD :(

[bali1228]

Religion of peace..............sure.

[3timesoccermom]

Bali1228 - ain't that the #^@& truth.