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28 August 2008
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UN Human Rights officer criticizes Afghanistan for freeing two rapists
28/08/2008
A UN Human Rights official has criticized Afghan authorities for the early release from prison of two men convicted of gang rape.
Norah Niland, chief Human Rights officer at the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, calls the decision an "injustice against the victim, the victim's family, and all Afghan women." And she says it "sends the wrong message to other perpetrators of violent crimes against women, that they will not be held accountable for their actions."
The two men who were convicted in 2006, were serving 11 years for a rape committed in northern Afghanistan. They were released after serving a portion of their sentence, and are now back in the same neighbourhood where the crime took place and where the victim and her family continue to live.
In a statement released today, Niland notes that the Afghan authorities intend to investigate the circumstances surrounding the men's release, which she welcomes.
For United Nations Radio, I'm Dianne Penn.
(duration: 55")
Norah Niland, chief Human Rights officer at the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, calls the decision an "injustice against the victim, the victim's family, and all Afghan women." And she says it "sends the wrong message to other perpetrators of violent crimes against women, that they will not be held accountable for their actions."
The two men who were convicted in 2006, were serving 11 years for a rape committed in northern Afghanistan. They were released after serving a portion of their sentence, and are now back in the same neighbourhood where the crime took place and where the victim and her family continue to live.
In a statement released today, Niland notes that the Afghan authorities intend to investigate the circumstances surrounding the men's release, which she welcomes.
For United Nations Radio, I'm Dianne Penn.
(duration: 55")