U.S. SENATE PASSES COLLINS-FEINSTEIN RESOLUTION CONDEMNING BRUTAL DEATH OF SOMALI TEENAGER
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution condemning the tragic and senseless death by stoning of a 13-year old girl in Somalia. The resolution, authored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and cosponsored by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), also urges the international community to join the Senate in speaking out against the attack and urges the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to undertake robust efforts to protect women and children and to prevent acts of institutionalized violence against women.
At least 1,000 people watched as the 13-year old girl, Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, was stoned to death in late October in Kismayu, Somalia. Duhulow, whose family said she had been raped by three men, was killed after being accused of adultery by Islamic militants.
“This deeply disturbing killing is a horrible reminder of the discrimination and violence perpetrated against women and children by brutal extremist groups in Somalia,” said Senator Collins. “It is also an indication that more must be done to encourage the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia to protect women and children, promote their equal and fair treatment, and to work to strengthen the rule of law in Somalia.”
“The brutal rape and subsequent murder by stoning of a 13-year-old Somali girl, Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, was a despicable and senseless act of hate. Unfortunately, there have been countless cases of this kind of violent treatment of women and children all across this war-torn country,” Senator Feinstein said. “This resolution puts the United States Senate on record condemning this terrible practice and expressing our solidarity with its victims. And it sends an important signal to the Somali people that we will continue to work with the international community to bring peace, stability and the rule of law to their country.”
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has condemned the death by stoning and has called on the U.S. government to join with other states in speaking out decisively against such grave human rights abuses. Media reports indicate that Duhulow pleaded for her life before she was forced into a hole, buried up to her neck and then stoned to death by 50 men in a stadium filled with onlookers.
At least 1,000 people watched as the 13-year old girl, Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, was stoned to death in late October in Kismayu, Somalia. Duhulow, whose family said she had been raped by three men, was killed after being accused of adultery by Islamic militants.
“This deeply disturbing killing is a horrible reminder of the discrimination and violence perpetrated against women and children by brutal extremist groups in Somalia,” said Senator Collins. “It is also an indication that more must be done to encourage the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia to protect women and children, promote their equal and fair treatment, and to work to strengthen the rule of law in Somalia.”
“The brutal rape and subsequent murder by stoning of a 13-year-old Somali girl, Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, was a despicable and senseless act of hate. Unfortunately, there have been countless cases of this kind of violent treatment of women and children all across this war-torn country,” Senator Feinstein said. “This resolution puts the United States Senate on record condemning this terrible practice and expressing our solidarity with its victims. And it sends an important signal to the Somali people that we will continue to work with the international community to bring peace, stability and the rule of law to their country.”
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has condemned the death by stoning and has called on the U.S. government to join with other states in speaking out decisively against such grave human rights abuses. Media reports indicate that Duhulow pleaded for her life before she was forced into a hole, buried up to her neck and then stoned to death by 50 men in a stadium filled with onlookers.
