This past Thursday Farkhunda was beaten and set on fire for supposedly lighting a Qur’an on fire. Investigators have declared that there was no evidence of such a crime, so Farkhunda was completely innocent when she was murdered. She was studying to become a religious teacher and was about to graduate when she was killed. Her murder was filmed on mobile devices and was shared on social media, adding an awful cherry to an already heinous sundae. When she was buried on Sunday hundreds appeared to show remorse and support for Farkhunda. On Monday hundreds have taken to the streets of Kabul to protest the vicious attack and they are calling for justice.
Since the last report 18 people have been arrested for the involvement of Farkhunda’s death, including police officers who stood by and did nothing to stop it. Many of the women protesters wore masks of Farkhunda’s bloodied face during their protests. They walked along from the mosque where Farkhunda was beaten and then they walked to the river where she was dragged to be set on fire and then left there. The demonstrators also planted a pine tree where Farkhunda’s body was burned as a remembrance of what happened to her.
Kabul’s police chief says that they have evidence, which could be the videos posted on social media, and that the 18 people who were arrested have confessed to being a part of Farkhunda’s murder. The police officers that were involved were suspended, but there no are word on the civilians involved. Afghanistan’s president, Ashraf Ghani, has condemned this act when it first took place and has called for an investigation against those who were involved. His wife, however, has remained silent during all of this. This crime was shocking because Ghani was an advocate for women’s rights durning his campaign and has made constitutional guarantees for women’s rights as well.
Those arrested should be put on trial in public and justice should be done, so it can be a lesson,” said Palwasha who is a protestor that was quoted by NBC News. She is quoted again but by The Guardian, “We demand that the government ensure that all those involved are arrested and that they face an open trial so that justice is implemented and they become an example for others.” The demonstrators are not asking for anything outrageous, but just justice.
The protestors have said that they will continue having daily demonstrations until the violence against women is tackled. Giving the authorities pressure so they will not forget what has happened to an innocent citizen, and that nothing like this will happen again. Most citizens are hopeful Farkhunda receives the justice she deserves for this awful crime, and maybe there will be a cultural change in Afghanistan. Nonetheless, activists do not intend to give up any time soon.
Photot: Omar Sobhani/RushHourDaily
