The moment a teenage girl was stoned to death for loving the wrong boy

[GaryC 7]

The moment a teenage girl was stoned to death for loving the wrong boy

Last updated at 18:28pm on 3rd May 2007

Comments Comments (3)

A 17-year-old girl has been stoned to death in Iraq because she loved a teenage boy of the wrong religion.

As a horrifying video of the stoning went out on the Internet, the British arm of Amnesty International condemned the death of Du’a Khalil Aswad as "an abhorrent murder" and demanded that her killers be brought to justice.

Reports from Iraq said a local security force witnessed the incident, but did nothing to try to stop it. Now her boyfriend is in hiding in fear for his life.

Miss Aswad, a member of a minority Kurdish religious group called Yezidi, was condemned to death as an "honour killing" by other men in her family and hardline religious leaders because of her relationship with the Sunni Muslim boy.

The teenager was dragged outside by 8 or 9 men and stoned for half an hour until she died. Her boyfriend is now in hiding in fear for his life

They said she had shamed herself and her family when she failed to return home one night. Some reports suggested she had converted to Islam to be closer to her boyfriend.

Miss Aswad had taken shelter in the house of a Yezidi tribal leader in Bashika, a predominantly Kurdish town near the northern capital, Mosul.

A large crowd watched as eight or nine men stormed the house and dragged Miss Aswad into the street. There they hurled stones at her for half an hour until she was dead.

The stoning happened last month, but only came to light yesterday with the release of the Internet video.

It is feared her death has already triggered a retaliatory attack. Last week 23 Yezidi workmen were forced off a bus travelling from Mosulto Bashika by a group of Sunni gunmen and summarily shot dead.

An Amnesty International spokesman in London said they receive frequent reports of honour crimes from Iraq – particularly in the predominantly Kurdish north.

Most victims are women and girls who are considered by male relatives to have shamed their families by immoral behaviour.

Kurdish authorities have introduced reforms outlawing honour killings, but have failed to investigate them or prosecute suspects, added the Amnesty spokesman.

Kate Allen, the organisation’s UK director, said: "This young girl’s murder is truly abhorrent and her killers must be brought to justice.

"Unless the authorities respond vigorously to this and any other reports of crimes in the name of 'honour', we must fear for the future of women in Iraq."

Warning! Graphic pictures!

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

Kate Allen, the organisation’s UK director, said: "This young girl’s murder is truly abhorrent and her killers must be brought to justice.

"Unless the authorities respond vigorously to this and any other reports of crimes in the name of 'honour', we must fear for the future of women in Iraq."

no chit, kate.........here's what you win for stating the obvious:

[Fandango 1,439]

So heartbreakingly tragic. What a fcuking way to die. What is wrong with this fcuking world?!?!?!?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Someone remind me again: What are we over there fighting for exactly?

[TracyLuis 0]

That is really, truly sick and disturbing. I can't believe things like that still happen in our world.

Un-freaking-believable...

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

Someone remind me again: What are we over there fighting for exactly?

the right to stone teenage girls to death?

[Robor007 0]

So heartbreakingly tragic. What a fcuking way to die. What is wrong with this fcuking world?!?!?!?

I know I'm probably opening a can of worms but I do it anyway and state the obvious. Religion.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Interestingly the article makes the point that this sort of thing is particularly bad in the Kurdish north of the country. People who are supposed to be our allies.

Rather like some of the atrocities carried by out the South Vietnamese.

[Nagishkaw 510]

And North

[almaty 19]

true..the Kurdish are loyal to america and want their own country,. against turkey wishes...

the incident was wrong and very sad..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

And North

Well that's a given. But part of the reason that US public opinion went so bad about Vietnam was the various reports and published photos of summary executions and atrocities being carried out by members of the Southern regime allied with the US. There was one General in particular who did some particularly heinous things and there was no small amount of outrage that a lot of this went on with the knowledge of our govt and military commanders.

[Nagishkaw 510]

It seems I do remember that now. All I know is that was a nasty war and it makes me sad . Recalling it makes me think of some friends who never made it home, and those who did are not right in the head.

[Lizzy 0]

Why or why did i look at the pics...... gets me everytime

[ghallett 0]

I love fluffy bunnies. yay!

[Robor007 0]

I love fluffy bunnies. yay!

I thought I opened a can of worms with my bashing of religion. Your post should make for some good