It is questionable whether the 15 year old confessed to fornication on her own free will: Dhunya

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has also raised concern regarding the girl sentenced to lashing for fornication, saying that it is questionable, with regard to the sexual abuse she had suffered in the past, if she would be able to have made her won just decision.

President of the PPM women’s wing and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dhunya Maumoon said today that the 15 year old girl would have suffered psychological effects from the sexual abuse she received from her stepfather and that even though she has confessed and asked to be punished for having consensual premarital sex, it has to be made certain whether she had made the decision on her own.

“The crime is being substantiated by the child’s own confession. But a little girl is in the abuse of another person. Abusing her sexually. It will have a number of psychological effects as well, so will the child make her decision herself? Because, when she is confessing, how will frame of mind be? Even if she wanted to face the punishment, her mental state has to be reviewed, I think,” said Dhunya, speaking at a press conference held in the PPM office this afternoon.

Dhunya Maumoon said that the existing systems to protect the rights of children have failed, so much so that sexual and psychological abuse to children is increasing. Dhunya also posed the question whether the trails impose the proper judgment to the people who commit severe criminal offences.

The 15 year old girl was sentenced to lashing after she confessed to the police and to the court to having consensual premarital sexual relations, and after telling the court that she wants to repent and face her due judgment as prescribed by Islam.