I've been following a story in Libya that has been developing over the last few days. A Libyan woman, Eman al Obeidi, burst in to the hotel in Tripoli housing journalists and claimed to have been raped and tortured by Libyan officials.

As she told journalists her story, which included being held captive for two days, the minders attached to the foreign journalists physically removed her from the hotel, having drawn their weapons.

In the immediate aftermath, officials claimed she had been taken to a place of safety, later saying she would undergo psycholigical tests.

I read in the news today (29/3/11) that she is now under investigation and is expected to be charged soon.

Her crime?

She apparently did not go to a police station to report the crime, instead choosing to speak to the journalists. Officials claim that she named the men involved (though I have not seen any names mentioned).

Moussa Ibrahim, a Government spokesman said "She says four people kidnapped and raped her, one of them is the son of someone in the state. That is hardly political, the son of someone in the state is a human being,"

"Now the four guys are having a case filed against her because instead of going to a police station and filing a case against them she went to the media and exposed their names."

"Now their honour is tainted, their families black-named and this in the Islamic law is a very grave offence."

No mention of her honour interestingly.....

There are now claims that her family have been offered bribes in return for her changing her story, for now though, she remains silent.

One can not help but wonder at the way this story has developed, and the prominence it has received. With regular updates, and video footage of her in the hotel, the press has sensationalised this story. It is no coincidence that NATO is currently enforcing a no fly zone there using bombs and missiles. A story like this, showing the suffering of the Libyan people must have warmed the hearts of all the western military leaders, adding moral strength to their actions.

This is what I have a problem with: I belive this lady was attacked and raped, and also that she will find no justice in her own country, like many thousands like her. Incidents like this are commonplace and the average person has no chance against the state machinery, even during the uprising.

I believe that the uprising against Gaddafi is right, by Libyans. I believe it is wrong for the state to fire on their own people, and to use mercenaries to do this.

Ultimately therefore, I support the NATO action, I just wish reporting was a little more honest, and that different issues were not tied together conveniently to create a perception.

Rebirth of the blog

Ok, so here I am, ages after first dipping my toe in to blogging. It is now time to actually spend some time thinking about the purpose of this blog. I've decided that it should be a place where I comment on things that are important to me (seems like a good place to start!)

I'd like it to become a place for reflection on items in the news, picking them apart and finding what is actually happening, and also a place to highlight human rights abuses throughout the world. Becoming a Rock for Defenders of victims.

Hmmm, sounds like a tall order, but it IS something to aim for.

Wish me luck as I set forth on this journey............

Transkei 2009 Defender Trophy - 16 March

We drove down from Jo'burg yesterday, leaving home at 05:30 and arriving about 20:00 at TheHole in The Wall, Transkei. It was a long drive, but the views on the way were breathtaking. Betsy, my 1996 TDi Hardtop was fantastic, having come out of the garage on Friday. She is a new colour, sandstone beige, and is driving like a dream.

We went on a 2 hour scenic drive today, incorporating some 4x4, a good chance to brush up on my rather lacking skills. I took some photos of the scenery here and some of Betsy :-)

More to come!!

First Post

Well, here goes nothing, my first ever blog post. I'm not sure what I will use it for, what I will write here, or how often.

But just to make a start, to dip my toe in, is a step in the right direction!!