United Nations Radio

The UN Children's Agency, UNICEF has described last week's stoning of a 13 year old Somali girl as 'deplorable.'

The girl, Aisha Duhulow, was stoned to death in a stadium of spectators in Kismayo on 27 October 2008 after having been found guilty of adultery. However, reports indicate that she had been raped by three men while traveling on foot to visit her grandmother in the war-torn capital, Mogadishu. Following the assault, she sought protection from the authorities, who then accused her of adultery and sentenced her to death.

UNICEF Representative for Somalia, Christian Balslev-Olesen, said"this is a tragic and deplorable incident," adding that the "child was victimized twice - first by the perpetrators of the rape and then by those responsible for administering justice."

Balslev-Olesen said authorities and institutions of civil society have a role to play in supporting and protecting the rights of every child."

She adds "However, this incident demonstrates how much work remains to be done to advocate for and protect the rights of girls and women in Somalia.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration: 59")