Posted November 28, 200717 yr Last Updated: Wednesday, 28 November 2007, 18:59 GMT BBC News Teacher charged over teddy row A British teacher has been charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs. The Foreign Office has confirmed that charges have been laid against Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool. She was arrested in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he will summon the Sudanese ambassador "as a matter of urgency". In a statement, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "surprised and disappointed" at the charges. A spokesman said the first step was to "understand the rationale behind the charge", something which would be discussed by Mr Miliband and the ambassador as soon as possible. "We will consider our response in the light of that," he added. Lawyers say Mrs Gibbons faces six months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine if convicted. Sudanese state media said prosecutors had completed their investigation and decided to charge Mrs Gibbons under Article 125 of the Sudanese criminal code. The BBC's Amber Henshaw, in Khartoum, said Mrs Gibbons was expected to appear in court on Thursday. The Muslim Council of Britain reacted angrily to the news, saying it was "appalled" and demanded Mrs Gibbons' immediate release. "This is a disgraceful decision and defies common sense. There was clearly no intention on the part of the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith," said Secretary-General Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, in a strongly-worded statement. "We call upon the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, to intervene in this case without delay to ensure that Ms Gibbons is freed from this quite shameful ordeal," said Dr Bari. Mrs Gibbons taught at the fee-paying Unity High School in Khartoum and the school's director, Robert Boulos, said earlier: "This is a very sensitive issue. We are very worried about her safety. Earlier, the Sudanese Embassy in London said the situation was a "storm in a teacup" and signalled that the teacher could be released soon, attributing the incident to a cultural misunderstanding. But Sudan's top clerics have called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam. "What has happened was not haphazard or carried out of ignorance, but rather a calculated action and another ring in the circles of plotting against Islam," the Sudanese Assembly of the Ulemas said a statement. The semi-official clerics body is considered relatively moderate and is believed to have the ear of the Sudanese government. A Sudanese human rights lawyer and Member of Parliament countered that Mrs Gibbons may be acquitted or simply fined under the discretion of the magistrate. "It is not imperative to lash her, it is not imperative to send her to prison," said Ghazi Suleiman. "But I think the lady, she hasn't got any intention to insult the Islamic religion, therefore I am sure, very sure that if she went to the court she might be acquitted." Mrs Gibbons was arrested on Sunday after several parents made complaints to Sudan's Ministry of Education. The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner said the situation could potentially become a very serious diplomatic incident. Catherine Wolthuizen, chief executive of Fair Trials Abroad, told BBC News 24 that getting fair legal representation for Mrs Gibbons is a priority: "We are shocked and dismayed as I think many people are." Coming a week after a Saudi woman was sentenced to six months jail & 200 lashes for being raped by 13 different males, don't you think this is further evidence of the inhumane way Islamic law is been interpreted, or do you think the Sudanese court (like the Saudi court previously) are entitled to carry out their law as they see fit?
November 28, 200717 yr The world would be a better place if ALL religion was banned, every religion is totally f***ed up :manson:
November 28, 200717 yr Coming a week after a Saudi woman was sentenced to six months jail & 200 lashes for being raped by 13 different males :blink: WHAT? The law over there is messed up as much as the people. I am not Rascist or against any Religon of any sort, but the fact that in some contries religion controls over the law is stupid. What in f***'s name is wrong with calling a Teddy Bear "Muhammad". It's just the same as calling it Dave or Mike. Some people need to grow up. That woman is going to have to spend an awful lot of time in a FOREIGN jail with people she doesn't even no untill this case get's sent to court. I feel for her. I realy do.
November 28, 200717 yr Author This was the other story I was referring to, Last Updated: Thursday, 22 November 2007, 00:00 GMT BBC News Saudis back rape victim sentence Authorities in Saudi Arabia have defended a judicial sentence of 200 lashes for a rape victim. The justice ministry said in a statement that the sentence was justified because the woman was in a car with an unrelated man. The case has aroused controversy at home and condemnation abroad. US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton said the sentence was an outrage and urged President Bush to put pressure on Saudi King Abdullah. The 19-year-old, who has not been named, was travelling in a car with a male friend last year, when the car was attacked by a gang of seven men who raped both of them. She has become known as the "Qatif girl", a reference to the largely Shia town which she comes from. Four of the men were convicted of kidnapping - but the court also sentenced the woman and her friend to receive 90 lashes each for the crime of "illegal mingling". Last week the court increased the woman's sentence to 200 lashes and six months in prison. It also banned her lawyer from the courtroom and took away his licence. The Saudi justice ministry has defended the verdict and warned against "agitation through the media" - a sign of how sensitive the authorities are to the fact that the woman and her lawyer have sought to use the media to highlight the case, says BBC Middle East analyst Roger Hardy. Meanwhile, Mrs Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the US presidential elections, strongly condemned the Saudi sentence. "The Bush administration has refused to condemn the sentence and said it will not protest against an internal Saudi decision," she said. "I urge President Bush to call on King Abdullah to cancel the ruling and drop all charges against this woman. As president I will once again make human rights an American priority around the world." Other Democratic candidates joined in the criticism, with Barack Obama writing a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, urging her to condemn the ruling. John Edwards said in a statement: "I am outraged that President Bush has refused to condemn the sentence"; and Joseph Biden called on King Abdullah to overturn the court's decision. A state department spokesman on Tuesday called the verdict "astonishing", but said it was not its place to call for the ruling to be changed. The US-based Human Rights Watch said it sends victims of sexual violence the message that they should not press charges.
November 28, 200717 yr Millions of their citizens dying of hunger, ethnic cleansing, corruption, slavery.... And what's the most important issue for the Sudanese Govt? The naming of a teddy bear. Stark. Raving. Bonkers. :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko:
November 28, 200717 yr I don't think she is plotting against Islam in any way, at worst she was niaive. I heard the kids and their parents had no problem with naming the bear, but another teacher reported her to make trouble. If this is what happens to people trying to help educate some of the poorest countries in the world, they can't blame us for leaving them to their own devices. I somehow don't think this would have raised an eyebrow if the reverse happened in this country. Just shows how tolerant we are unlike some others.
November 29, 200717 yr The world would be a better place if ALL religion was banned, every religion is totally f***ed up :manson: couldnt agree more.
November 29, 200717 yr the rape VICTIM gets punished?... how tf does THAT work? It's sick! I agree with Craig, just get rid of every one, goes to show you how fuked up their religion is! It's all so wrong.
November 29, 200717 yr I think all this is stupid - look bad on their country... it wasnt just her to "named" the bear it was the whole class - i dont see the whole class getting charged though!!
November 29, 200717 yr I find both articles upsetting to be honest. Especially the woman in Saudi. It's really unbelievable how women are treated in countries where the main religion is Islam. I've read a book about a woman who is from royalty background in Saudi. It's a very powerful book and it really portrays the life and sadness of Saudi women. It seems as they don’t have any rights in those countries. These countries need to realise this is the 21st century. There was 1 story in the book about young girls how had been raped but when it was reported it to the Police there was no justice for her as the man deny it and it resulted into her being punished like imprisonment or stoned. It seems like they would rather believe the men over women. Making laws regarding religion is really unacceptable. People choose to follow region. With ridiculous laws like that is giving it a bad name. As for the teacher, they should just release her. They are making a huge fuss over nothing. She has not insulted or committed any crime. If they punish her then it shows what we would be letting our self into if we follow a religion.
November 29, 200717 yr "The Bush administration has refused to condemn the sentence and said it will not protest against an internal Saudi decision," she said. "I urge President Bush to call on King Abdullah to cancel the ruling and drop all charges against this woman. As president I will once again make human rights an American priority around the world." Other Democratic candidates joined in the criticism, with Barack Obama writing a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, urging her to condemn the ruling. John Edwards said in a statement: "I am outraged that President Bush has refused to condemn the sentence"; and Joseph Biden called on King Abdullah to overturn the court's decision. A state department spokesman on Tuesday called the verdict "astonishing", but said it was not its place to call for the ruling to be changed. The US-based Human Rights Watch said it sends victims of sexual violence the message that they should not press charges. Why does this surprise anyone...? The Bush admin (and the Nu Labor one by the way...) is totally in bed with the Wahabist Saudis..... <_< The Wahabis being the most extreme, fanatical strand of Islam, the strand of Islam which has led to the creation of Al Qaeda.... Osama Bin Laden is a Wahabi and directly related to the Saudi Royal family - FACT!!!! And what do UK and US do in the "war on terror"??? They invade a relatively moderate (in terms of religion), secular SUNNI-controlled nation..... Beggars fukkin belief....... :lol: :lol: And we shouldn't be so quick to pat ourselves on the back where rape is concerned, in a system of so-called "justice" where only 1 in 20 cases of rape brought to trial results in a conviction and a culture in which over a third of the population believe a woman is "asking for it", what message does that send out to rape victims...? So, we dont publically flog people, but we sure make they go through hell if they do report a rape..... Onto the matter at hand here - another example of an ultra-right wing, authoritarian nation oppressing its own (and other) people, using religion as an excuse, far from the so-called "offence" being insulting to Islam, every muslim friend of mine has denounced the judgement as being an affront to their faith.... Another right-wing, authoritarian regime which WE and the Yanks choose to prop up.... Maybe it's about time we started considering supporting the anti-Government forces in Sudan..... <_<
November 29, 200717 yr Author Last Updated: Thursday, 29 November 2007, 18:23 GMT BBC News UK teacher jailed over teddy row The court in Khartoum was guarded during the hearing A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison after a day-long court hearing. Mrs Gibbons had been accused on three counts of insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs. She will be deported after serving her sentence in Sudan's capital Khartoum. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Un-bloody-believable!!!! :angry: :angry: :angry:
November 29, 200717 yr 15 Days eh? It could of been worse. But i'm glad it's not more. Good that she's getting deported. That will mean she never has to go back to that religious playground.
November 29, 200717 yr Last Updated: Thursday, 29 November 2007, 18:23 GMT BBC News UK teacher jailed over teddy row The court in Khartoum was guarded during the hearing A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison after a day-long court hearing. Mrs Gibbons had been accused on three counts of insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs. She will be deported after serving her sentence in Sudan's capital Khartoum. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Un-bloody-believable!!!! :angry: :angry: :angry: It's badk, but let's face it, could've been a LOT worse though..... <_< Why do I get the feeling that if the British Govt "scratched the back" of the Sudanese regime in some backroom deal, then her conviction will be "overturned on appeal".....? :thinking: There's clearly something they want.....
November 29, 200717 yr Author And we shouldn't be so quick to pat ourselves on the back where rape is concerned, in a system of so-called "justice" where only 1 in 20 cases of rape brought to trial results in a conviction and a culture in which over a third of the population believe a woman is "asking for it", what message does that send out to rape victims...? So, we dont publically flog people, but we sure make they go through hell if they do report a rape..... Well maybe you'd prefer it if the UK treated rape victims like several Islamic countries do including Iran? Last Updated: Thursday, 29 November 2007, 01:18 GMT BBC News Report Iranian child victim of prostitution By Julia Rooke Reporter, Crossing Continents Sold into prostitution aged nine, condemned by an Iranian judge to hang at 18, Leila was saved by a group of human rights activists. "I was nine years old when my mother started selling me. I did not understand what was happening." Today Leila is a young woman of 22. For the past two years she has been cared for by a private home for destitute young women in Tehran, Omid E Mehr, which means Hope. "My mother would say: 'Let's go out to buy things, like chocolates'. She would actually trick me. I was a tiny girl. She just took me to places." Leila still finds it difficult to talk about the past. But we know that the "places" she speaks of are where she was sold for sex and raped. Leila became the main source of income for a family of five. The lawyer who eventually saved Leila's life, Shadi Sadr, is a controversial figure in Iran. Although she was imprisoned earlier this year for taking part in human rights demonstrations, she is widely respected and frequently quoted in the press. Ms Sadr says Leila's story is not unique. "A girl is considered one of the first commodities or properties that can be traded or sold in the eyes of a parent who is poor in Iran," she says. Ms Sadr says that, in practice in Iran, under the Islamic penal code a father has enormous power over his own children. "If a father decides to kill his own child he will not be sentenced to death, he will only be sent to prison for a couple of years." Leila lived in Arak, a small town four hours drive south of Tehran - notorious for criminal behaviour and illegal drugs. Most of Leila's earnings went on illegal narcotics for her family. According to the United Nations three quarters of the world's opium seizures take place in Iran and the authorities acknowledge addiction is a serious problem. Human rights lawyers say Leila's case is not unique But there are no such statistics on prostitution as the Iranian government says it does not exist. However, the Director of the Omid E Mehr centre in Tehran says it is a growing problem. "I have entered many homes in the south of Tehran where young girls had to go out and sell their bodies to provide for their father's drug habits," says Eshrat Gholipour. I have also seen several cases of families chaining their own daughter to the homes to stop them from running away." Leila's husband began selling her for sex to as many as 15 men each night. Two months into the marriage, police raided the house and arrested everyone. The husband was sentenced to five years in jail for providing a house for illegal sex. During the course of the criminal investigation, Leila's brothers had confessed to raping her. They were flogged. For this Leila was accused of incest. A crime punishable by death. Leila was in a women's prison when she heard about her own sentence from the warder: "I am going to tell you something but please do not be upset. You are going to be hanged." Ms Sadr says the judicial system is deeply conservative and unfair. "These male judges have not had any training about sexual charges. They all have a chauvinistic point of view and they see the woman as guilty," she says. Leila's brothers later retracted their confessions. Ms Sadr took Leila's case to appeal and won. Death sentence Earlier this year Ms Sadr defended and won the case of 19-year-old Nazanine, sentenced to death for killing a man who tried to rape her. Today she too is a free woman. According to Amnesty International, 177 woman were executed in Iran last year, of these four were as a result of being raped - this year the number is up to five. The real figures could be higher as executions are not always reported. But Ms Sadr and other Iranian lawyers say that constant human-rights campaigning and publicity is making Iran's judges more sensitive to public opinion. "There will be so many protests or so much complaints from the human rights activists that the judges are under pressure not to issue a death sentence," she says. Today Leila lives in a small flat with a full-time carer paid for by Ms Sadr and the Omid E Mehr day centre. When Leila arrived she was illiterate and needed to be taught the basics of life. "She did not know anything," says Marjaneh Halati, the founder of Omid E Mehr, "to the point that she did not know that you wear a pad when you get a period." Today Leila is learning to read and earning money as a seamstress. But Ms Halati also knows that by helping girls like Leila - by boosting their self-esteem and encouraging independence - the centre is treading a fine line. "We live in Iran and there are certain rules we have to abide by, but it does not mean we cannot tell the girls that they are no different to men. They are individuals," she says. Today Leila is free and attitudes may slowly be changing. Iran passed its first child protection laws five years ago. This spring a new bill drafted by human rights lawyers, is expected to go before Parliament to make prosecutions in child abuse cases easier. Crossing Continents on BBC Radio 4 tells Leila's story on Thursday, November 29 at 1100 GMT, her story will also be told on the World Service programme Assignment on Wednesday, December 5 at 0900 GMT. Leila's interview was recorded by the Iranian filmmaker, Hamid Rahmanian for a forthcoming film about the Omid e Mehr.
November 29, 200717 yr I can't believe she has been jailed. At least she escaped the lashing. Apparently 1 members of the staff at the school reported her. How sly some people can be.
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