A recent post here in our community raised the question of whether a rape sentence was too light. The article provides some insight into the role judges in the UAE have in setting sentences, and we learn that prosecutors can appeal a sentence.
The varied opinions of several persons are reported in the article. Here's one that disappointed me (r.e., middle paragraph):
Dr Fatma Mohammad Al Khumeiri, Head of Pathology at the Department of Forensic Medicine at Dubai police, said: "I cannot comment on the judgment. The judge must have seen different circumstances.
"However, I haven't seen any true rape cases. It is a rare crime in Dubai. I have seen many women claiming that they have been raped. Such incidents have happened with the victim's consent. In general, a rapist is considered socially sick and needs rehabilitation."
Dr Al Khumeiri described the UAE law as adequate in terms of sentencing rapists.
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13 comments:
The article also says...
"... teenagers who kidnapped and raped a 23-year-old woman have been placed under social surveillance...."
I wonder if its lax sentencing or just poor reporting... were they found guilty of the heinous crime and then actually set free (under... umm...'surveillance') or has GN's just labeled the accused without any legal validation?
Both possibilities seem most distressing - wish I had some good anon software... oh well
I was wondering what would happen if, say, I shoot and kill a guy who tried to rape me... Do these lenient sentences mean that women do not have the right to self defense (since rape is a "light" crime)? If a victim kills the rapist, would she be sent to jail? For more than 2 years?
Before passing judgement, what I would like to know is:
1. How long has Dr Fatma worked for Dubai police?
2. How many different forensic surgeons are used by Dubai police?
3. How many rape cases does each surgeon investigate per year?
Because unless the answers are 1. two weeks, 2. 1,000 and 3. 0.5 each, I suggest Dr Fatma is rapidly removed from her post.
The quoted article is most disconcerting. Having quoted the pathologist, the article continues with the following passage.
... Saif Salih Al Mutawa, of Al Mutawa and Co Consultancy Firm, said: "... in rape cases many factors have to be considered, such as the circumstances and the victim's role in the case ... There are many victims who allow a man to have intercourse with them after which they falsely claim that they have been raped. That's why a victim plays a very important role, especially when she responds to the man," he said.
What would be their standing on date-rape? If a girlfriend agrees to sit with the guy in the car and later he rapes her because she won't cooperate, would he get a lighter sentence or a fine because she consented to go in the car with him? Would it be a more serious offence had he kidnapped her and then raped her?
There's no clear definition of the two, considering the recent cases in papers. Rapists should get the death sentence or life imprisonment at least. It's very harsh, but they deserve it for these heinous crimes.
I wonder if Dr Fatma's tune would change if it happened to someone very close to him/her.
Gulf News : Rapist's death sentence reduced to 10 years in jail
"An appeals court reduced a 23-year-old national's death sentence for rape to 10 years in jail after his lawyer argued that he did not use violence against the victim."
Oh come on lets face it....it was 2 years because the victim was an expat.....I'd like to see a similar sentence for an expat assaulting a national woman
Look if anyone or you are about to be raped, kill the asshole. The law and the fucking hypocrites will fail you.
realist a pakistani man that sexually assaulted 3 young local girls daughters of a widower he had married, had gotten 4 yrs in jail
Emirati- Support thy claim with a link pls. Plus, its still 4 and not 2!
I remember that case but doubt I can find a link. It's often easiest to search Gulf News via Google (their own on-site indexing is very incomplete, but all their stuff gets indexed by Google).
Four or two is shockingly light either way. Especially for multiple rape.
This is really astonishing news.
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