The Most Absurd Human Rights Violations (4): Punishment for Being Raped

photo by Salman Masood

(source)

Under the Hudood Ordinances introduced by the former Pakistani dictator Zia-ul-Haq in 1979, rape victims had to have four male witnesses to the crime – a ridiculous requirement. If they didn’t, they faced prosecution for adultery, a crime that potentially carried the penalty of death by stoning. This law has been repealed, but local custom still drags behind (source). And the law is an empty shell anyway. If a woman cannot prove she has been raped – how on earth can you prove this? -  she could still fall foul of the adultery laws and she may be tried by either civil or Sharia courts.

More on rape.