Another story about youth harassment,taken by BBC News

swissgirl39
By swissgirl39

Emiratis tried for raping youth

Emirates law on male rape need updating, relatives say
A Dubai court has been hearing evidence against three Emirati nationals accused of raping a French-Swiss boy.
The boy, 15, testified in private against his alleged attackers, aged 36, 18 and one who is a minor.

The boy's relatives say the three, one of whom is HIV positive, took him into the desert and raped him at knifepoint.

His mother accuses the authorities of lying about the 36-year-old's HIV infection to hide the fact that Aids is present in the United Arab Emirates.

The defendants - who deny the charges - have not been identified in the case, in line with UAE law.

Veronique Robert, the mother, has been campaigning for more protection for underage rape victims in the Emirates.

Dubai officials have defended their handling of the case but have not commented on the mother's accusations.

'Official silence'

Ms Robert said her son cried during his 90-minute testimony on Wednesday, but remained "very strong".

"He looked the defendants in the eyes and gave a chance for justice to be served," she told Associated Press news agency.

He told police three men abducted him and a friend, 16, from a shopping centre in the booming Gulf emirate which is a regional tourism and business hub.

The men allegedly took turns raping him in the back seat of their car. The 16-year-old, who was told to sit behind a sand dune, also testified on Wednesday.

Ms Robert has said during a forensic examination the police doctor accused her son of being homosexual, implying the incident was consensual.

She also says official silence about the 36-year-old's positive HIV test meant her son missed out on possible treatment.

"Aids is a taboo subject here... The government played with the life of my child," she said.

The boy left Dubai fearing he would be prosecuted for homosexuality, a crime in the Emirates, but returned when the authorities said he would not be charged.

The two adult defendants could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted. The third defendant could face 10 years imprisonment if convicted by a juvenile court.

The trial was adjourned until Sunday.

By thatguy• 9 Nov 2007 22:12
thatguy

i realize that it happens... i know it happens... it happens all the time in America... the news does it worse than the people in america... but like i said its a touchy subject... people need closer so when they say he should be punished it gives them closure on the fact that some one should be punished for the incident... i dont agree with it... but thats what the masses want.

_____________________________________________________________________

just hanging out and watching dvd's with helen keller... kind of a quite night.

By dweller• 9 Nov 2007 22:04
dweller

It happened in Kuwait when someone murdered a money changer.

The gallows were initially erected in the street and had been painted twice before the trial.

By thatguy• 9 Nov 2007 22:02
thatguy

i think this topic is a little to touchy for most people to be able to agree on the individual is innocent until proven guilty... because in most cases like this the rapist is already guilty.

i agree with you though on the fact that you must treat the person as innocent unless he has already stated that he did it... then a confession would be enough to say hes guilty now... but again this is a touchy subject... things like murder rape and pedophilia dont really get treated the same by people... even though the person commiting the crime is innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law... but its not something the general public can stand by.

_____________________________________________________________________

just hanging out and watching dvd's with helen keller... kind of a quite night.

By dweller• 9 Nov 2007 21:56
dweller

I take your point but let's not forget that individuals are assumed innocent until proven guilty.

That makes the "alleged" valid.

By Scarlett• 9 Nov 2007 16:52
Scarlett

other capitalist nations...its called reporting and its done on a regular basis...just that as Alexa said..some places choose to ignore the existence of such crimes...even you just posted...the "alleged" rape...how can you dare to be so arrogant as to assume it wasn't??? Were you THERE yourself??

By swissgirl39• 9 Nov 2007 13:18
swissgirl39

Yes he is.And he is so far away from home,that makes it not easier.Wish him and his family the power to go on and to leave it behind one day.

No matter where such things happen,it is always sad and unbelievable.

*Create your own destiny,fighting against your dark sides,raise your

spirituality.Every day is a new day.A new life.

Keep the faith!*

By Oryx• 9 Nov 2007 10:09
Oryx

have some compassion - the poor boy - he is so brave.

By onefatamerican• 9 Nov 2007 10:08
onefatamerican

i often wonder what the motivation if for the major newspapers and media outlets to pick up on such stories in the muslim world...afterall rape, murder, homosexuality, peadophilia, robbery, prostitution, child abuse and so forth as so common in the US and Europe and other capitalist societies then why shout from the rooftops about this 'alleged' rape?

By swissgirl39• 9 Nov 2007 01:23
swissgirl39

Wow.I was reading it today in a small Swiss Newspaper.

Wish that guy all the best.I think he has a verry hard way to go now.

*Create your own destiny,fighting against your dark sides,raise your

spirituality.Every day is a new day.A new life.

Keep the faith!*

By jassKat• 9 Nov 2007 01:18
jassKat

This was on the front page of some major US Newspapers!

tra la la

By swissgirl39• 9 Nov 2007 01:08
swissgirl39

yes,i hope they do it in a fair and good way.I was sad to read it.

:-(

*Create your own destiny,fighting against your dark sides,raise your

spirituality.Every day is a new day.A new life.

Keep the faith!*

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