Saudi Arabia has passed a new law protecting women as well as other major branches of Saudi Arabian society from the violence of domestic abuse. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has often been criticized for the lack of protection offered to women and children tormented by domestic abuse. The campaign to get the "Protection from Abuse" bill signed into law was started a month ago by a charity in the country looking to make nationwide change. The law will aid women, children, domestic workers, and non-domestic workers that are victims of abuse.
The 17-article bill was signed into law on August 26. For the first time in Saudi Arabia those who are found guilty of domestic violence will be punished. The law says "those found guilty of committing psychological or physical abuse could face prison sentences of up to one year and up to 50,000 riyals in fines." In the past the outcome of domestic violence cases brought before a judge would be left to the judge's discretion and understanding of sharia law. This Islamic law allows moderate violence against a disobedient wife.
Women who have been victimized are usually punished and treated as if the attack or abuse was their own fault. In 2007 a Saudi woman was sentenced to be lashed 200 times for being in the company of men, that were not her husband or close relation. The men whose company the woman was in, attacked and gang raped her. After sentencing the woman was pardoned by Saudi Arabia's king, Abdullah. In April of this year the King Khalid Foundation began a campaign to end violence against women and punish those that would inflict it.
"We are always in favor of an explicit law that does not need interpretations or personal judgment, said Khaled al-Fakher to Reuters. Fakher is the secretary general of the National Society for Human Rights, this organization helped get the campaign against domestic abuse moving. The campaign to raise awareness about domestic abuse in Saudi Arabia uses the image of a veiled woman; only her eyes can be seen. Looking at the image the woman's left eye is normal, bright, brown and wearing a little makeup to help it pop.
The woman's right eye (again with you facing the image) is another story, a large red and swollen bruise can be seen. The caption below the image is written in Arabic but translates to "Some things can't be covered up." The passing of the "Protection from Abuse" law is a monumental step for the ultra-conservative Islamic country. The campaign's goal is to "Provide legal protection for women and children from abuse in Saudi Arabia"
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