Pakistan rape victim leads march
MULTAN, Tuesday (BBC) - The woman involved in a
high-profile rape case has led a protest march in the Pakistani city of
Multan ahead of Tuesday's International Women's Day.
Hundreds of people participated in the march, called to
protest against the acquittal last week of five of the accused in the
case.
Mukhtar Mai was raped, allegedly on the orders of a
village council to punish an offence blamed on her brother.
Ms Mai said those acquitted should not be released until
her appeal was heard.
Five of the six convicted in the case were cleared on
appeal last Thursday.
Security fears
Addressing the rally, Ms Mai said the men might flee the
country if released.
She thanked the participants for their support,
especially women who had turned out in large numbers.
Many men also attended, which observers say is rare for
such a cause in the highly conservative city of Multan. Ms Mai says if
the five are released, she is sure they will look for her and harm her.
"There's a lot of danger now for me, even though I have
policemen protecting me. But I am going to go back to my village, I have
to go back there," she told a news conference in the Pakistani capital,
Islamabad, on Saturday.
"The decision that's been taken by the court saddens me.
God willing, I am going to appeal in the Supreme Court, for which I need
you people as well," she said, calling on the press for their support.
Monday's march was called by Pattan, a non-government
organisation that arranges women's events all over the country on
International Women's Day each year. |
