to refuse to visit the maldives?

[RattyRoland]

I just read a news item about a fifteen year old rape victim being sentenced to 100 lashes under Islamic law.

news.sky.com/story/1057551/maldives-rape-victim-sentenced-to-100-lashes

I used to dream of going to the Maldives, Aibu to be disgusted and refuse to ever go there? I hope their tourist industry collapses on this news, the despicable government.

I will go to the Caribbean now, when I have enough money.

Is someone trying to make you go there, or do you already have a trip booked?

My god- is there a campaign or petition? That's horrifying.

Nothing booked, it was a dream of mine though. Not anymore! Plus they ban all religions except Islam...sounds a nice, tolerant place

Theres a thread about this in fwr chat section.

Tis awful. Too horrible, and yes Ratty, I agree about the tourist trade. Maybe that will make the government become more enlightened etc, if the tourist dollars start to shrink. We can but hope.

Just to be clear she is being sentenced to the lashes as a result of pre-marital sex with another man - not for being raped by her step-father (who if charged faces 25 years in prison). That is terrible and unfitting punishment in itself but the way you have worded your OP make it seem she is being lashed for being raped, which isn't the case.

I won't go there again - it was an incredible holiday (taken about 10 yrs ago pre DCs!), but I have read some awful things about the repression the people suffer and the intolerance.

If the tourist industry collapses it will be the ordinary people that suffer

Kelly, I think the BBC article is not very clear as that is what I originally thought too. You are right though. She had sex with someone else and the lashes are for that 'crime'

On another note, I was sitting in on a meeting a few weeks ago (training as social worker) where the possibility of introducing sharia law (in parts) was being discussed as a positive thing and I am in th UK All the people discussing it as a positive change were men...

Crinkle - ordinary people are already suffering no?

I think its despicable but there are many countries whose laws and policies leave a lot to be desired and who are equally intolerant of other religions. If you only decide to visit the countries you consider to be fair, equal and tolerant, you might find your choice very limited.

That's dreadful. I'd have loved to go the Maldives one day but I think we'll be saving our money to go elsewhere :(

Did anyone notice that they are not going to carry out the punishment until she's 18? Not only are they punishing her for a non crime but she's got to dread it happening for the next three years. VILE.

I wouldn't go there either for that very reason. Barbados is very nice as is Thailand.

I once refused to send any of our staff to do some work in Saudi Arabia too on purely moral grounds.

Storm - she can opt to have the punishment now, if she wishes, or she can wait until she is an adult. It's her choice, not that it makes it any better.

Oh I missed that bit. What a lovely choice Poor girl

Caja, oh well that's OK then NOT. Sooner the Maldives sinks below the waves the better if that's what the people there are like.

I went to the Maldives 2 years ago and it was lovely.

However before even reading about this I was put off returning after watching holiday hijack. You never really know how the other side live and to be honest that sickened me too.

But then they are prosecuting her mum for failing to prevent the abuse!

Make your mind up, it's either abuse or 'adultery'

The whole thing makes me feel very sick.

Right, because it was me that sentenced her?

I did say that it didn't make things any better. I don't agree with her sentence.

Caja, sorry I think I put that wrongly, not aimed at you.