Appeal to Qatari govt to release jailed Eritrean woman

Embassy

– The State of Qatar
– 2555 M. Street, NW, Washington DC 20037
– Telephone: (202) 274-1600
– Fax: (202) 237-0061

E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.qatarembassy.net/

To the Honorable Ambassador of the Government of Qatar:

I’m writing to express my outrage about the flagrant victimization of a poor Eritrean woman by your justice system. The Gulf Times reports that “An Indian man, 41, and Eritrean woman, 26, were yesterday convicted of having illicit relations. The man was sentenced to one-year imprisonment. The court sentenced the woman to one year in jail and 100 lashes for “prostitution”.

Why is this poor woman being punished for possibly being a victim of coercion or perhaps even rape? What does the Koran say about protection for poor women? About protection for women who come to your country in search of refuge? Where is the sense of humanity that the people of Qatar are known for?

I’m calling for the immediate repeal of the unjust sentence passed against this poor Eritrean woman seeking refuge and protection in your country. This sentence is completely out of proportion and I appeal to your government to repeal this decision. An interpretation of Sharia law that punishes a poor immigrant woman with a 100 lashes for sex clearly negates the spirit of Islam. The Islam that I learned about is merciful and gracious.

In the spirit of Ramadan, I appeal to your government to have mercy on this woman. Give her a gainful employment and you will find that she will have no need to sell her body and Allah will bless your country for it.
Respectfully Yours,

Yohannes Woldemariam

(Yohannes Woldemariam writes commentaries and is based in the U.S.)