Militants in Somalia Targeting Women Without Veils or Socks

Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia are allegedly rounding up and beating women who are not wearing veils or socks. In total, over 130 people have been detained in the past three days for violating Al-Shabaab's interpretation of sharia law, according to CNN.

"Just today, Al-Shabaab dispatched men with whips to the streets around Bakara market and they are flogging any woman who is found not wearing socks," an anonymous female maize trader told CNN. She also said that many who have been detained because they were not wearing veils "were vegetable traders, so they are poor and can't afford to buy veils for 600,000 shillings [about $23 U.S.]."

Militants have committed a number of human rights violations in Somalia recently. Earlier this month, China View reported that members of Al-Shabaab executed two men on charges of spying, and the South African Star reported that Al-Shabaab flogged women who were wearing bras and then forced the women to remove their bras and "shake their breasts." Last year, a 13-year old rape victim was stoned on charges of adultery after her family tried to report the rape.

Media Resources: CNN 10/29/09; China View 10/25/09; South African Star 10/17/09; Feminist News Wire 11/7/2008

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