2 I The Behrend Beacon
Saudi rape victim sentenced to 200 lashings
SAUDI ARABIA -- A rape victim had her sen
tence increased from 90 lashes to 200 last week,
following her appeal. The Saudi government tried
to legitimize the lengthened sentence by accusing
the victim of "trying to aggravate and influence
the judiciary through the media."
The 19-year-old victim was charged with
"meeting with an unrelated male." The man she
was meeting was a longtime friend from whom
she was retrieving photographs. During their
meeting, the pair was abducted by seven men who
viciously beat both of them and raped the woman.
The rapists received sentences ranging from 10
months to 5 years in prison.
The victim's lawyer, Abdulrahman al-Lahim,
appealed the rapists' sentences, claiming their
punishment should be life in prison. Lahim argued
there is an edict under Islamic law, which states
that crimes such as rape are Hiraba (sinful violent
crime) and the perpetrators
should be executed.
After the appeal, Judge
Saad al-Muhanna from the
Students concerned continued from page 1
Chris Brown/THE BEHREND BEACON
Poorly-lit Jordan Road and speeding cars are major concerns to people who walk along the road.
quickest route to the REDC building. That is why Calming Study". The study consisted of a close
I use the road." observation of the mad's traffic flow. They noted
Student safety concerns along roadways are well any problems or ways to make things go more
justified. in light of a recent accident on the smoothly. Most of the study's focus was on the
Bayfront Connector. On Monday Nov. 26, a pedes- road's speed limit. He adds. "Traffic is usually
trian was hit by a car and killed while crossing the going at a rather high speed. The upper part of the
busy road. 52-year-old Pamela Sparks of Erie was road near the maintenance building has a speed
crossing the Connector in her wheelchair, when one limit of 35 miles-per-hour, and the lower part of the
car swerved to avoid hitting her. and the following road near the campus entrance is 25 miles-per-hour.
vehicle made contact. We found that the actual speed should he clarified."
Ream informs that the road is actually owned by Lighting additions are not in the plans of the
Harhorcreek Township. Any changes such as Maintenance department. Ream assures the road is
adding lights at the crossing points, reducing the well lit for the crossing, and otherwise there is not a
speed limit, or conditioning the road surface, must need to add lights along the road since students are
be taken up with the township authorities. "We not encouraged to be walking on it. He concludes,
have already had ongoing discussions with them "We think the campus is well lit, and if there is an
about making safer crossings for people traveling official walking area that is too dark, I would appre
the campus. - Ream mentions that Behrend ciate knowing the concern. -
Maintenance and the Harhorcreek Township have
also collaborated on what he calls a "Traffic
Quotes on Civility
"Life is not so short but that there
is always time enough for cour
tesy."
Ralph Waldo Emerson,
American essayist, public
philosopher and poet
(1803-1882)
Janet Neff it iirliatsle2!lvtlry
Source: CNN
Qatif General Court extend the sentences of some
of the rapists, but also doubled the victim's sen
tence. Al-Muhanna also barred Lahim from
defending his client, and revoked his law license.
"Currently she doesn't have a lawyer, and I feel
they're doing this to isolate her and deprive her
from her basic rights," said al-Lahim. "We will
not accept this judgment and I'll do my best to
continue representing her because justice needs to
take place."
President Bush declared in his second inaugural
address that America would be fighting for
women's rights around the world. According to
the President, "America will not pretend...that
women welcome humiliation and servitude."
Despite their promises, the Bush administration
has no plans to intervene with the Saudis on the
situation. When asked what the administration's
stance is on the issue, State Department
spokesman Sean McCormack replied with "I am
not aware of any direct contact with the Saudis on
this issue."
i\iE w,
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Teacher jailed for students naming teddy bear "Mohammed"
SUDAN -- A British teacher was sentenced to
15 days in prison in Sudan for allowing one of her
students to name a teddy bear "Mohammed" on
Thursday. The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, was
arrested on Sunday after organizing a school proj
ect. The project, was for her class of 7-year-olds to
name a stuffed animal. The most popular name
from the class, was Mohammed. Gibbons faces
the charges under article 125 of Sudan's constitu
tion, which relates to "insulting religion and incit
ing hatred." If convicted, Gibbons faces the possi
bility of being deported after she serves her court
sentence. Gibbons left her position as deputy head
teacher at a school in Liverpool, England in
August to teach In Sudan.
Gibbons' lawyer was quoted as saying he was
"very disappointed" with the verdict and that an
appeal was imminent. Gibbons got off of two
other charges she faced, which included inciting
hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.
Gibbons was escorted to her closed hearing on
Thursday by her defense lawyers and a staff mem
ber from the British Embassy in Khartoum. Police
Students favor longer Thanksgiving
break continued rom •a!e 1
weekend, I prob,
all. I don't know if I could crash a friend's The new, longer break is a new trend among hi L
Thanksgiving, it would he weird." ger universities. Although smaller. private school
Because this year brought in the most out-of-state tend to hang onto the two long weekends sy sten
students yet to Behrend, the longer break is very the long Thanksgiving break is catching on. Som
beneficial to those with either long drives or expen- of the Big Ten schools. including Indiana and lows
sive flights. For these students, one long break is also had the full week. However. Karen Schulte. th
obviously easier to manage and more worthwhile Penn State University Registrar. wants to point or
than two short ones. Even to local students it pro- that "only students had the entire week off. Th
vides the opportunity to stock up on supplies and University was open for business Monday throug
provisions, a difficult task when lacking a car, as Wednesday and on Friday. So most of us were wor
well as catching up with old friends and even have ing that week."
had a high presence outside the courthouse, keep
ing most of the journalists and general public
away from Gibbons. Twenty-five police officers
linked arms to create a human wall to force
bystanders away from the court entrance. They
even mistakenly kept one of her defense attorneys
from reaching her.
Gibbons' sentence of 15 days is minimal com
pared to what she was facing. Other possible sen
tences were 40 lashes, fines or even a jail term up
to one year, according to the Foreign Office.
British officials are doing their best to aid
Gibbons. "We are extremely disappointed that the
charges against Gillian Gibbons were not dis
missed," Said Foreign Secretary David Milihand.
"As I said this morning, our clear view is that this
is an innocent misunderstanding by a dedicated
teacher. Our priority now is to ensure Ms.
Gibbons' welfare, and we will continue to provide
consular assistance to her."
able to go home at a couple of days with no obligations at all
Friday,November 30, 2007