A 15-year-old rape victim in the Maldives has been sentenced to 100 lashes by a juvenile court for engaging in pre-marital sex.
The minor, allegedly raped by her stepfather, will also be kept under house arrest at a children's home for eight months. The court handed down the sentence after she confessed to having a physical relationship with another man.
Last year, while investigating into the allegations that her stepfather repeatedly raped her over a period, police found out that the victim had consensual sex with another man.
"Though she has been sentenced she will be lashed once she turns 18," a court official told AFP adding that "the sentence will be enforced immediately if she wants it to be carried out now."
It is illegal to have sex before marriage under the nation's strict Islamic (Sharia) law, and if found guilty both men and women will be punished with 100 lashes.
It is not known whether the man, who the girl had sex with, will also be punished for the act. It remains unclear if the authorities have identified the man or traced his location.
Zaima Nasheed, a spokesperson for the juvenile court, defended the judgment saying that the girl had willingly committed an act outside of the law, BBC reported.
The case was sent for trial after police were called to investigate the death of a baby on the Island of Feydhoo, north of Maldives.
The victim's step father was also accused of impregnating her and killing the baby. He is yet to face trial.
The court's sentence has been condemned by Human Rights group Amnesty International.
"This is an absolute outrage, regardless of the reason for her charges. Victims of rape or other forms of sexual abuse should be given counseling and support -- not charged with a crime," Abbas Faiz, Amnesty's Maldives researcher said, according to The Independent.
"We urge the Maldivian authorities to immediately drop all charges against the girl, ensure her safety and provide her with all necessary support."
Masood Imad, President Mohamed Waheed's spokesman, also objected to the punishment and said that the girl should be treated as a victim and not a criminal.
However, he remained firm on the law and said, "She is not going to be lashed to cause her pain... rather; it is for her to feel the shame for having engaged in activity forbidden by the religion," reported AFP.
