Subject: STATEMENT: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on the Pardon of the 'Girl Of Qatif'
From: "Clinton, Press Office (Clinton)" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:03:09 -0500

For Immediate Release

December 17, 2007

Contact:

Clinton Press Office 202-224-2243 or 

[email-masked]

 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON ON THE PARDON OF THE 'GIRL
OF QATIF'

Washington, DC - "I welcome today's news that Saudi King Abdullah has
pardoned the 'Girl of Qatif.'  This young woman was raped by seven men
in an unconscionable attack last spring. Despite being the victim of
this heinous crime, the Girl of Qatif was sentenced to 200 lashes and
six months in prison. This sentence was unjustifiable, and I am glad to
see that it has been overturned. We cannot truly end the epidemic of
violence against women unless we can end the silence and stigma that so
often accompanies these crimes, and ensure that those who have
experienced violent sexual assault are not blamed or jailed for what
they have endured.  I am pleased to note that the Saudi government has
announced reforms to its legal system, and I encourage them to continue
that process so that all Saudis - both men and women - have equal
protection under the law."

Senator Clinton, a longtime champion of women's rights around the world,
previously expressed outrage at this sentence, and joined with several
of her colleagues last week in introducing a resolution urging the Saudi
government to overturn the sentence of the Girl of Qatif.

 

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