Maldives Slams UN on Adultery Penalty

Monday, November 28th, 2011

(onislam.net): – The government of Maldives has rejected UN calls for debating the practice of flogging women guilty of committing adultery in the island nation.

“What’s there to discuss about flogging?” Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem told Haveeru newspaper.

“There is nothing to debate about in a matter clearly stated in the religion of Islam. No one can argue with God.”

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay called Friday on the Maldives government to end the practice of flogging women committed of having extra-marital sex.

“I strongly believe that a public debate is needed in Maldives on this issue of major concern,” she said.

Under Maldives law, women found to have committed adultery are punished with 30 lashes.

There are now estimates of how many women are flogged in the Muslim nation, but the punishment is usually done in public.

The UN rights chief’s call has sparked protests in the island nation, with some protestors calling for Pillary’s arrest.

Protestors surrounded the UN Building, and demanded an apology from the UN and parliamentarians.

The Maldives government said that it will not allow any debates about penalties against female adulterers.

“Our foreign ministry will not allow that to happen,” said Nassem.

“Maldives is a 100 percent Muslim country.”

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