Diesel Bombers - Guilty of Driving: Saudi Woman Sentenced To The Lash

Guilty of Driving: Saudi Woman Sentenced To The Lash

By Anita Lienert, Correspondent | Published Sep 28, 2011

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Just the Facts:
A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes for defying a ban on women driving in the kingdom, according to Amnesty International.
In recent months, dozens of women have driven vehicles in Saudi cities in a push to get the monarchy to change the law.
Human Rights Watch said that Saudi courts routinely impose corporal punishment in the form of public flogging, which it describes as "inherently cruel and degrading."

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes for defying a ban on women driving in the kingdom, according to Amnesty International.

"The sentencing of a Saudi Arabian woman to 10 lashes after she drove a car demonstrates the scale of discrimination against women in the kingdom," said Amnesty International in a statement on its Web site. "Flogging is a cruel punishment in all circumstances, but it beggars belief that the authorities in Saudi Arabia have imposed lashes on a woman apparently for merely driving a car."

The women, who was identified only as Shema in media reports, was found guilty of driving here in July. Amnesty International said that two other women are believed to be facing charges for driving, one here and one in al-Khobar.

In recent months, dozens of women have driven vehicles in Saudi cities in a push to get the monarchy to change the law. The Women2Drive campaign has used Facebook and Twitter to encourage women to get behind the wheel.

Human Rights Watch said that Saudi courts routinely impose corporal punishment in the form of public flogging, which it describes as "inherently cruel and degrading."

Al Jazeera says that under Saudi Arabia's laws, women require a male guardian's permission to work, travel abroad or even undergo certain types of surgery.

"There is no written law banning women from driving, but there is a law requiring citizens to use locally issued licenses while in the country," it noted. "Such licenses are not issued to women, making it effectively illegal for them to drive."

I am thankful I am an American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

:usa: :usa: :usa: :usa:

And you can bet your sweet arse I will put my hand over my heart when it's time to say the Pledge or when I hear the National Anthem.