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Teenage Girl Faces Beheading in Saudi Arabia

August 01, 2007 10:07 AM

Teenagegirlfa_mn The family of a 19-year-old Sri Lankan girl is pleading for her life after a Saudi Arabian court sentenced her to death by beheading. 

The court found Rizana Nafeek, 19, guilty of murdering a child in her care while working in the country. Her family (parents pictured above) has appealed the sentence, and human rights groups are calling for the Saudi government to overturn it.

At 17, Rizana Nafeek was sent to Saudi Arabia after the tsunami to work as a maid and make money for her family in Sri Lanka. But after only a few weeks and no child care training, her employers put her in charge of their 4-month-old baby. The baby died, and Nafeek was charged with murder, tried without an attorney and sentenced to death.

Nisha Varia of Human Rights Watch says the case is the latest egregious example of the harsh conditions migrant workers face in Saudi Arabia.

"This case raises many troubling questions about the treatment of children and foreigners in Saudi Arabia's criminal justice system," says Varia. "Foreigners simply do not receive the same treatment in the Saudi justice system. This includes having translation during the interrogation and during court proceedings and having an attorney."

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About 1.5 million Sri Lankans work abroad, according to the country's labor statistics. Eighty percent of the women working abroad are employed as unskilled domestic workers, primarily in Saudi Arabia.

Varia says domestic workers are vulnerable to mistreatment. When Human Rights Watch sent a team of investigators to Saudi Arabia last year, Varia says the group found egregious abuse.

"The most commonly reported abuse is unpaid wages," she says. "It's routine for employers to take the passports of workers, and in order for the worker to leave the country, they have to get their employer to sign an exit visa."

Under Saudi Arabian law, employers have a heavy hand in how justice is served. After being charged and interrogated, Nafeek signed a guilty confession. If her former employers formally forgive her, she will be released, but they have so far refused to do so.

Nafeek's parents told local media outlets that their daughter was not trained in child care and that the baby "choked on milk." Human Rights Watch is calling for a new investigation into the case.

Varia says that because domestic workers in Saudi Arabia are not protected by labor laws, they don't have access to training, paid leave, reasonable hours or even one day off.

"They're not seen as real human beings," she says.

"It is socially accepted to lock your domestic worker inside the house. There are employers who forbid their workers to make phone calls home or write letters or talk to neighbors," says Varia, who interviewed domestic workers' employers in Saudi Arabia. "The reason they give is that, 'We paid a lot of money for this worker, and if I leave the door unlocked, she'll run away.'"

The problem is so severe that the embassies of Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines in Saudi Arabia can have as many as 150 women staying in embassy shelters because of abuse suffered at the hand of their employer, says Varia

The Saudi Arabia Embassy in the U.S. has not responded to calls and e-mails from ABCNews.com for this story, but Nafeek's case and other recent cases have drawn attention to the issue in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has made public statements condemning abuse of domestic workers. There also have been discussions to place domestic workers under separate labor laws.

Varia says discussions and rhetoric are not enough; the laws must change.

"There needs to be much greater efforts to punish abusive employers and to protect workers," she says. "What will really matter is if domestic workers get the same rights as all other workers in Saudi Arabia."

Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?

August 1, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (99)

User Comments

Yup. That sounds like the real world of Saudi Arabia. Not as nice as they would like us to believe.

Posted by: Rick McDaniel | Aug 1, 2007 10:30:10 AM

bummer. what a sad story.

Posted by: disabledvet45 | Aug 1, 2007 10:32:20 AM

America Is so hippocritical going around the world taling about Cuba and other countries who rule differntly than demoractic yet I never see them condemm the Saudi Arabia the country that most of all the 911 originated. That just goes to show you that they were about the money. All the soilders dying in vain. Now this country is going to behead ayoung poor girl from anther country Stand up against that after you are about to trade mass amounts oil for bombs and weapons that are probaly be use against Americans some-day. How can a counrty who say they staND FOR JUSTICE ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. And conitiue a relationshop with this without saying a word. Money more than democracy and every one needs to know that freedom is purchasing power not law or idiology.

Posted by: mary derricotte | Aug 1, 2007 10:40:21 AM

Wheres the NAG gang on this issue? Oh sorry the ladies of NOW. . .

Posted by: tony | Aug 1, 2007 11:08:38 AM

And this is our alli. A country were people, especially women, are treated so horrible, and we are arming them.

Posted by: Stacy | Aug 1, 2007 11:22:56 AM

This is terrible news to read, I feel sad for the family and the infant; she shouldn't have been permitted to sit with a baby when she knew little about how to care for them. I will not comment on the countries ways of handling the punishment; however, workers need to be treated better and more fairly. It's not right to keep them worse than a slave.

Posted by: elizabeth | Aug 1, 2007 11:24:38 AM

I bet that the only thing this woman is guilty of is ignorance and neglect. Barbarism is alive and well. This problem is not unique to Saudia Arabia or even the Arab World. I hope that world leaders make an effort to lobby for mercy for this woman. Ideally, President Bush would make a phone call. However George H.W. Bush or Jimmy Carter would also be effective. Terrorism has some terrible side-effects. This is one of them, in my opinion.

Posted by: Sean O'Brien | Aug 1, 2007 11:35:40 AM

This is ridiculous. Why is the US even considering selling the Saudis modern weapons? Oh yea, OIL. What a messed up - backward - way of living. Do they believe God approves of their behavior, especially in human slave labor? Do they not have laws against this? My understanding is the baby got choked on the milk and the girl was frantically rubbing the baby's throat-(Who would leave an untrained girl with their infant?) She was not strangling the baby. Saudi courts are horribly unjust.

Posted by: Jerry | Aug 1, 2007 11:37:01 AM

Beheading or gas-chamber... they both produce death... just one cost the tax-payer tens of thousands of dollars, and the other nothing but a dramatic visual.

Posted by: Mr. USA | Aug 1, 2007 12:04:50 PM

The Saudi justice system is abominable. It has always sought out scapegoats and slays the innocent. Their answer to everything is shedding blood. This has been apparent for generations. I see no reason whatsoever to expect anything good, wise, moral, just, or compassionate from these over-inflated egotistical, myopic, spineless, mealy-mouthed hypocrites.
I don't call the Saudi's friends of the United States....frankly, these people only like themselves....and that in itself proves that they are blind to evil.

Posted by: Diane Thomas | Aug 1, 2007 12:15:09 PM

Interesting case; did the Saudi family NOT KNOW that the Sri Lankan had no experience caring for infants? If they knew, then THEY are culpable, not the girl. Did the Sri Lankan girl TELL them that she had no experience caring for infants? Again, if she did, THEY are responsible, not her. If she hid that fact, and still took the responsibility of caring for the child, then SHE is responsible.

Then again, society in the Kingdom is so vastly different than that of anywhere else on the planet, and hey, it's their country...their laws, right?

Posted by: Jazz | Aug 1, 2007 12:20:11 PM

I am so glad that we're fighting in Iraq while we've decided to ship these people arms. Makes perfect sense in a Bushian utopia. If people bothered to read about Saudi Arabia, they'd see that it is a human rights violating cesspool, where political disidents are put to death and woman are abused and mistreated. Ogh, and weren't most of the hijackers from there. Oh yeah, Osama bin Laden is from there too. Oh well, I'm sure our fearless commander in chief know what he's doing. Right?

Posted by: jason c | Aug 1, 2007 12:34:15 PM

This is nothing new reagarding the Saudis and their treatment of third world laborers. When they do get around to paying their employees, it's about as close to slave wages one can come to.
A street sweeper in Jeddah was reported eearning $52 per month and he was trying to support a family back home.
I was there when an Indian had an eye sugically removed for having tossed acid at a co-worker and blinding him in one eye.

Human rights in Saudi?? Forget it! As long as these people are pumping out oil, no one is going to give a damn about a baby sitter about to be beheaded and other abuses that takes place in that nation. These are George bush friends.

Posted by: Scott | Aug 1, 2007 12:52:57 PM

That's harsh. Here's a question, what kind of punishment fits the crime of terrorism? It's got to be good compared to this.

Posted by: Dan Burkard | Aug 1, 2007 1:06:39 PM

Saudi Arabia is not our friend. And inspite of the obscene wealth of its "royalty" which they did not acquire themselves, they are not living in this century.

Posted by: Chas | Aug 1, 2007 1:32:54 PM

Dear Brian Roberts, this is a joke. Why is this a blotter story, because it involves Saudi Arabia?

Posted by: hernando lammers | Aug 1, 2007 1:34:15 PM

What a disgrace for the Bush Administration to be in Saudi Arabia trying to sell weopens to these barbarians. Friends? NOT

Posted by: peter | Aug 1, 2007 1:39:28 PM

The message that should be passed on to our own government is simple: don't make alliances with states run by authoritarian barbarians such as Saudi Arabia - least of all don't give or sell high power weaponry to them - Just as has happened too many times in our history in the past, these weapons will eventually fall in the wrong hands...and they will eventually be pointed at our direction..."The ends DO NOT justify the means."

Posted by: JohnS | Aug 1, 2007 1:53:21 PM

we dont know what happened; but we do know that a baby is dead. i daresay that in the u.s. this woman would be convicted in public opinion BEFORE the trial. and there is the death penalty for murder in the u.s. so why is it that it is seen as "barbaric" when another country has the same law?

Posted by: you | Aug 1, 2007 2:32:55 PM

Human beings have become so wicked and unforgiving these days. America is being turned into a police state, Saudi Arabia is now beheading 19 yr old women, and the Simpson's is the #1 movie in America. Morons.

Posted by: Anthony Tomei | Aug 1, 2007 2:32:58 PM

This is one of the reasons I left Egypt many years ago. I am the son of an American father and an Egyptian woman.
In my teens I had to choose which culture I wanted to live in. America was my choice after I had seen and experienced so much cruelty and abuse in Egypt, and the other "Muslim" countries where we lived. Saudi Arabia is still in the Dark Ages. It is a barbaric, frightening place to live in if you are not part of the royal hierarchy .

Posted by: Yasser R. | Aug 1, 2007 2:53:53 PM

Islam is a religion that often addresses its deity with the epithet, "The Merciful". Showing mercy is an essential aspect of Islam.

Also Islam enjoins the Umma or Islamic Community to practise being kind to strangers and offer hospitality to them.

Here the "hospitality" this poor Sri Lankan maid needs is adequate legal support, advice and representation in her hour of need.

Poor Nafeek. Let us hope someone cares enough to help her.

Posted by: Merlin Jiji | Aug 1, 2007 3:21:13 PM

The US will stop dealing with the Middle East when we as citizens, consumers and voters decide to dramatically scale back our dependance on oil. That means we stop buying the Humvees, and big trucks and SUV's.

Posted by: T | Aug 1, 2007 3:27:41 PM

People, the arms deals involve not only Suadi Arabia, but United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

At any rate, the deal must be approved by congress (you know, your locally appointed representatives?) Contact your rep and let them know how you feel, if it matters that much to you...

And don't be so myopic; other countries have sold weapons to the Kingdom to bolster their national interests. In the 90's, Canada sold Saudi Arabia over a billion dollars worth of weapons.

The total value of American arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the past half-century approaches $100 billion, with over a quarter of the contracts signed IN THE 1990s (in dollar terms).

Posted by: Jazz | Aug 1, 2007 3:38:00 PM

Next thing I'll be hearing is that China is using healthy people to sell their bady parts.....Come on, these are most favored nations for trade, they wouldn't do things like this!!!

Posted by: Jeff Smathers | Aug 1, 2007 3:44:33 PM

Pathetic, those backassward countries need to catch up to modern times. What a joke that legal system is.

Posted by: J | Aug 1, 2007 3:46:14 PM

Agreed this is a very sad case because the convict is a young girl.

But the question here is: If she is guilty as charged (deliberate murder), should her life be taken for having taken another life, younger than her?

We strongly feel sympathy for the young girl because she is alive and do not feel such sympathy for the infant because he is dead. But not so the parents of the dead infant. They still are emotionally overcome by the grief of the death of their beloved infant son and by an equally strong hatred for the girl who caused his death.

If the law of the land states that the penalty for deliberate murder is death then the only hope is for the parents of the dead infant to get over their grief and pardon the girl. And please note that such pardons only happen in Arab Muslim countries, not in any other country. In other countries there is no law for next of kin of the victom to pardon a murderer. In this form of justice the Arab Muslim countries are better off than USA and the rest of the world.

As the sentence is not yet carried out, there is still chance the parents of the dead infant could forgive the girl. And please note that such forgiveness would not be a precedent. either.

We can only hope that with time the parents will calm down enough to pardon the girl. This is better than no hope at all if the girl had been in another country with a death sentence hanging over her head, after due process of law (represented by an attorney and all that)

Posted by: Rommel | Aug 1, 2007 3:50:53 PM

Teenage Girl Faces Beheading in Saudi Arabia...

So what, she killed a child in her care and Saudi Law proscribes the death penalty which just happens to be beheading. FACT, beheading is an incredibly kind way of checking out - quicker, less painful, and more merciful than lethal injection.

Posted by: Curt Maynard | Aug 1, 2007 4:31:01 PM

Anthony Tomei, the US is not a police state (have you been outside?), these practices in Suadi Arabia have gone on for centuries, and The Simpsons is pure comic genius...

Posted by: Jazz | Aug 1, 2007 4:41:51 PM

This week , saudi law found the 3 policemen in saudi not guilty .they are the special police of Virtue (who decide whether your veil is short enough or your ankles are showing too much flesh) they had arrest a youth who died in their custody and suddenly we are hearing they are not guilty as simple as that . I visited a few saudi Blogs and i was sickened to my stomach by : The truh has spoken , and Long live the King , and we offer our lives and souls to you oh King etc.. rubbish like that .
no talk of a second investigation , autopsy , or an Independent inquiry.
Unfortunately , even British Tribunal blocked 3 britons for suing saudia for torturing them in saudi Jails . the britons can not do much , since Britain is not allowing them. (saudi spend too much money on Arms you see and provide lots of oil and spend Millions in Casinos , horse races, and in night clubs and renting a few floors in the 5 star Hotels in Britain .

Posted by: fatima From Algeria | Aug 1, 2007 4:58:05 PM

Yasser R

Not One single Muslim country is as backward as saudi , do not generalize . im sorry you did not like it in Egypt I did . I had a fantastic time . my kids loved eating at TGIFridays looking over the nile , or Visiting the Pharonic village where services were of the best quality . our stay in Mena House was amazing and we did not mingle with royality. i had no problem wearing shorts either . I also live in morocco where if there is a crime , you go to Court , you dont get beheaded . we dont do beheading in Algeria either nor morocco.
Even Syria and Iran are not as backward .
do you know that thousands of Jews still Live in iran , where Maurice Motamed is a member of parliament. where women are part of parliament , drive cars, own businesses, christians have their different churches in iran and the zorostrians also have their temples . sure there is a lot to be done in iran compared to Saudi , but in saudi , ONLY ISLAM is accepted (and that s not what Islam teaches us )
So to call Saudi a Moderate is a sick Joke . syria has women as Ministers , and they drive cars , Unlike saudi women and work and can wear tee shirts and jeans if they want no one will force Syrian women to cover their faces . but the world is upside down and Bush says so .

Posted by: fatima from algeria | Aug 1, 2007 5:07:06 PM

This is none of America's business. As was stated earlier, Saudi Arabia has done this for centuries. I don't believe we would appreciate other countries trying to advise us on our legal system, which has its own problems.

Posted by: Heather | Aug 1, 2007 5:56:32 PM

How did the child died?

Posted by: marc | Aug 1, 2007 6:20:56 PM

If this girl was an American, I rather doubt that she would be given the death sentance for the death of the child, given the circumstances of her case. She was young, untrained, in an unfamiliar home, and most likely overworked and underpaid, if being paid at all. I believe that American compassion would save her.

It disturbs me that my country's government is friendly with governments like Saudi Arabia's. How can we claim to work in the interest of human rights while we hand out guns to a goverment with such low human rights standards?

The majority of the 9-11 hijackers came were Saudis. Why are we giving them even more firepower?

Posted by: Dawn | Aug 1, 2007 8:02:38 PM

This is none of America's business.

Oh yes it is. I'm not for military exploits, embargoeing or anything of the sort. However, I and other American citizens have an interest in knowing things like this. I'm a former international school teacher who is seriously considering resuming that part of my career. However, after learning things like this (I'd already heard just as bad), I'd NEVER consider taking a job in this God-awful country, even though the salaries there are very high. I should hope that others contemplating similar business transactions with Saudis would also react to this kind of thing by staying away from them.

Again--nothing governmental--but informed people involved in PRIVATE international business need to know what an evil society this one is.

Posted by: digbydolben | Aug 1, 2007 8:12:03 PM

This IS America's business-especially when we continue to sell them weaponry.

Why are we selling to known human rights violators? Maybe cause Boosh is one himself...

Posted by: captain crunch | Aug 1, 2007 8:21:55 PM

this is the moderate part of middle east. imagine the rest of them.

Posted by: shawn | Aug 1, 2007 8:26:38 PM

Heh heh.... Boosh

Posted by: Dawn | Aug 1, 2007 8:42:47 PM

Anyone that still believes 19 Arabs were behind 9-11 is either hopelessly stupid, delusional and/or complicit in the lies that have been disseminated since 9-11

Posted by: Chris Womak | Aug 1, 2007 10:44:09 PM

The Saudis are savages who were lucky enough to sit on top of a lot of oil.

And Chris Womak, you are a deluded idiot.

Posted by: michael | Aug 1, 2007 11:51:40 PM

This is outrageous. Its really wrong for the saudis to have different law systems for the other nationals.

Posted by: TechnoGroove | Aug 2, 2007 3:27:58 AM

you see, that's how all the problems in this world start. a bunch from the US high on the war path to enslave all the people and conquer the world into one big and happy USA and then keep on forcefully imposing their infantile opinion on the rest of the world.

Posted by: Big V | Aug 2, 2007 3:59:39 AM

I find it utterly preposterous that a monsterous cabal governing Saudi Arabia could be allowed to execute an innocent and exploited young person. It makes one lose faith for the future of humankind.

Posted by: Fil Munas | Aug 2, 2007 4:26:12 AM

Great! These are the same people who just bought the plastics division of GE which supplies our military with vital products. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Karen | Aug 2, 2007 5:37:00 AM

Social justice is a serious issue in every nation, including the U.S. I am more displeased with our government for selling weapons to third world nations who will use them to decimate their citizens, than Saudi Arabia for punishing one young woman unjustly. Sales of weapons world-wide is a great threat to world peace. We must stop our elected officials from bowing to corrupt business interests by allowing them to perpetuate the sales of weapons internationally. The U.S. should not allow sales of weapons no matter how much international trade is generated, or what American companies benefit from those sales. World peace will never have a chance if modern industrial nations continue to sell weapons to less fortunate politically unstable nations.

Posted by: Dennis | Aug 2, 2007 5:58:56 AM

"In this form of justice the Arab Muslim countries are better off than USA and the rest of the world."

we used to have this kind of laws in Europe a thousand years ago. I repeat that, a thousand years ago.

Posted by: Johan | Aug 2, 2007 7:14:15 AM

The US President happily signed off on mentally handicapped people being executed, whilst he was Governor of Texas.

You're currently putting "American" children in orphanages whilst deporting their parents as illegal migrants.

Your homeland security have been running an active multiple murderer as an informant, whilst covering up his crimes and firing the senior agent who complains about the morality of such actions...

You don't have the right to look down on anyone.

Posted by: G E | Aug 2, 2007 7:44:31 AM

Chris Womack, 19 individuals CARRIED OUT THE ATTACK. There were far more planners and financiers behind the plot...and there are thousands more who are working right now to execute more attacks...

Posted by: Jazz | Aug 2, 2007 8:33:50 AM

I knew this stuff was going on 20 years ago when I considered and decided against contracting in Saudi Arabia. Many stories have brought to light how the women are second rate citizens in Saudi Arabia. But Foreigners are considered third rate. And Foreign women are forth rate.

A contractor stationed in Saudi Arabia was driving and a national drove thru a stop sign at a high rate of speed and hit the contractors car and got killed. The contractor survived, but was ultimately tried and convicted and executed. The reason, there would not have been an accident and the national would have lived if the foreigner would not have been there.

They complain about how Israel treats non Jews as second rate citizens. But Israel is doing nothing compared to what the Saudis are doing to the non citizens.

Posted by: roy | Aug 2, 2007 8:48:18 AM

So what should we do? We are criticized by some in our country for putting our noses into another country's business and exporting our values. That is until that same someone finds one small example of the cruelty in the world outside our borders...Then we should show our might and influence because your sensibilities are now outraged! Must be nice to have it both ways.

Posted by: U.S. Citizen | Aug 2, 2007 10:17:33 AM

Having lived in Saudi for 30 years I see two side of the issue. Yes, domestic workers are sometimes ill-treated, but most are not. AND all Saudi families seem to think they must have domestic help. Stories were always swirling around about these types of situations. But I also saw a great deal of warmth towards domestic help.

As for the criminal system, foreigners are often not treated equally. The justice system is swift and perhaps harse. However, you will not see two released barbarians killing three members of a family, after a day of torture, as we recently saw here. Given our 'slap on the hand' criminal justice I think I would opt for the quick, and most often fair, system of Saudi.

As for women in Saudi Arabia, I beg to differ with many comments posted. I worked with Saudi's on a one to one basis for many years, and had not one experience where I was looked down upon. On the contrary, I was always treated with the utmost respect. I am not one of those who lived in a compound and never even met a Saudi, as do most of those who work in Saudi. My life was living and working with some very nice people, who loved their families and wanted to move ahead in life much as we do here in the U.S. and other 'developed' coutries.

Posted by: jane | Aug 2, 2007 10:28:27 AM

Americans are very naive about what go on in the world, the saudi treat all other nationalities like this, they pretend to the americans that they are peace loving people, where most of america troubles come from saudi supported money all over the world.
even most of the terrorists in iraq are saudi fundamentalists but the press don't say that.
americans need to understand as long as we have people who live in the stone age we will never be at peace in this land.

Posted by: Hani | Aug 2, 2007 11:25:02 AM

Why is the mind controlling press not talking about how the baby was murdered? Trying to brainwash us Americans into accepting illegal criminal Mexican aliens who need to be deported. The press is the problem!

Posted by: Gosh | Aug 2, 2007 11:36:05 AM

The press is the problem! They promote the following: black vs. white, white man vs. white woman, meat eater vs. non-meat eater, mexican vs. american, poor vs. rich. Wake up! Reality should be the people vs. media liars!

Posted by: truth | Aug 2, 2007 11:41:52 AM

i'm alittle further right politacally than atilla the hun, but this country should do something about saudi arabia,we can't allow any country to be more inhumane than we the people.

Posted by: fred szaban | Aug 2, 2007 12:34:49 PM

It really saddens me to see the things going on in this world because of the big M--Money.

That young girl in Saudi Arabia I truly feel sorry for. She should never have been given that job with no experience to take care of a baby and 4 months old at that. When you have experience a 4 month old can tax your patience and infants choke alot if not watched.

Just remember one thing about this selling of weapons to Saudi Arabia. They will NOT pay one red cent for the weapons. All that will happen is our gas will go higher than it already is. That's the end of that story.

Posted by: Linda | Aug 2, 2007 2:15:03 PM

"So what, she killed a child in her care and Saudi Law proscribes the death penalty which just happens to be beheading. FACT, beheading is an incredibly kind way of checking out - quicker, less painful, and more merciful than lethal injection.

Posted by: Curt Maynard | Aug 1, 2007 4:31:01 PM"

I'm sorry, but you are apparently unaware that the manner in which beheading is carried out is generally neither quick nor painless. You are perhaps picturing a French Revolution period guillotine-type beheading, but in general Middle-Eastern beheadings are done by SLOWLY sawing the subjects head off...while they are conscious.

So your so-called "FACT" is just something you made up in your head to suit an ill-informed, knee-jerk OPINION.

Beheading is barbaric...period...placing someone who has no training in child-care in charge of a 4-month old is irresponsible. Sentencing such a person to death under these circumstances is clearly scape-goating. Most civilized people would consider the parents co-negligent at the very least.

Posted by: Tax Analyst | Aug 2, 2007 3:07:01 PM

Gosh and Truth, what you just said about the "mind controlling, brainwashing" press is weak...real weak and it just illustrates that perhaps YOU are the gullible ones who maybe need to cut the juice to your computer, go out in the sun, and relax...maybe go out to dinner with friends or go to a museum or just go swimming or somthing...just sayin', dudes...

Posted by: Jazz | Aug 2, 2007 5:23:07 PM

Of course it's all about money. The USA rampages throughout the world trumpeting about democracy and justice, while at the same time propping up some of the worst murderous fascist despots ever seen on the planet. Saudi Arabia is ruled by a gang of murderous Muslim thugs who think nothing of committing the most barbarous atrocities on their population, such as beheading, mutilation such as cutting off hands and feet, removing eyes and other acts that certainly do not belong in any civilised society. The USA lambasts nations such as Iran and Burma about human rights and their regimes, yet there's scarcely a peep out of the Americans about the despicable regime of Saudi Arabia and its litany of human rights abuses and atrocities. Why? Simply because back in 1971, the USA made a deal with the Saudi despots that if they only accepted the otherwise worthless US dollar, mere monopoly money without something to back it with, the USA would ensure that the Saudi royal family would be protected and remain in power, notwithstanding any abuses of human rights. This is why Iraq was invaded, because Saddam Hussein started selling oil for Euro and not the USA dollar. This is why the CIA tried to depose and then assassinate Hugo Chavez twice, because Venezuela started to sell its oil for Euro, not the US dollar. This is why Iran is being bullied with false accusations about nuclear weapons and will probably be illegally attacked, because it is now selling its oil for currencies other than the US dollar. It's all about propping up the US dollar, which is only backed by the fact that other nations need it at the moment to buy oil. Once the major oil producers start trading in Euro and other currencies in preference to the US dollar, then the economy of the USA will collapse, because the dollar does not have any other intrinsic value such as gold. There is no more Fort Knox, just printing presses producing Monopoly money that the world is increasingly reluctant to accept. It's the start of the Fall Of The US Empire. But that is the underlying reason why Saudi Arabia is getting away with its barbarism and why the USA is propping up a bunch of murderous thugs that call themselves the Saudi Royal Family. And this is why a teenage Sri Lankan girl will die and many more will die as long as they go to Saudi Arabia.

Posted by: Ziggy | Aug 2, 2007 7:48:35 PM

Boy everyone has sure said a mouthful..nothing we say is going to change anything...we don t know what happen we weren t there..but even so i guess i ll put in my two cents...the girl should of had an attorney...if the child was choking i m sure she wanted nothing more than to save it and from the sounds of it tried...why are the parents so hell bent on not forgiving the girl for something thats wasn t her fault and she couldn t do anything about...mabe its not that they can t forgive her but themselves...alli can say is..in a world this we live in i sure hope i don t live to be a ripe old age

Posted by: angela talbert | Aug 2, 2007 10:58:05 PM

Okay, for those who frequently "bashed" Islam here, its just pure ignorance. Islam has nothing to do with the action of the Saudi Gov or terrorism for that matter. According to history, its the Western world that helped to create the Wahabbi-Nation State of Saudi Arabia. FYI, Wahabbi sect is largely denied by majority of Muslims around the world. Thanks to Britain for their collaboration with Ibnu Saud & his Wahabbi followers 80 years ago.

Posted by: fnd | Aug 2, 2007 11:57:00 PM

Once again this article shows the utter lack of conscience of the American people. We sold our souls to the Saudi Royal family for oil. We turn our eyes away from the most oppressive regime in the world which allows slavery to exist in its country. I'm so ashamed of the country I call home for doing this. I feel sorrow and frustration for the tens of thousands of poor people from the third world who are enslaved by the Americans and Saudis.

Posted by: Bluesman | Aug 3, 2007 10:03:46 AM

I really LOVE how all things wrong in the world can be blamed on the U.S. by Left Wing Self Hating MORONS. I really think you should try a new country...I am sure we can find people from other countries ready to fill your slot and actually LOVE and DEFEND America.

Posted by: U.S. Citizen | Aug 3, 2007 11:10:44 AM

To the person who criticizes "left wing self hating morons".
There is ONE country you might like, its totally patriotic, there is no dissent, there are police available everywhere, there is no crime, no terrorism, and its free from leftwing idealogy.

Its called North Korea, you might want to take a crack at citizenship there.

Posted by: Steve Savage | Aug 4, 2007 8:02:13 AM

What the hell has this story got to do with America? Surely you should be criticizing the barbaric arabs, the family that sent a young girl to such an unforgiving country on her own or even if if there is anything to go from the "murder charge" the girl herself.
I'm not american myself but why does every other country think they can blame all of the earths ills on them. its simply not true. If anything they do a lot more work to help those less forunate and in times of distress than any eastern countries that seem to hate others for the sake of hating or because its there religion to hate..

Posted by: chris | Aug 4, 2007 10:08:22 AM

After reading all 65 comments, it occurs to me that you people just don't get it.

Your beloved USA is no better, and in many ways, far worse, than any other country.

Your country is a big business. As with all big businesses, money talks, bs walks.

Bush and his gang are reaping all you have sown, just like the upper-ups in most "developed" countries (the exception probably is Britain; there's something about those Brits - god, queen, and country - they just don't seem to be greedy ).

Anyway, the sooner you all realize that you've been sold out, the easier it'll be for you.

Or you can just go on blindly living in your dream world .

Your choice.

Posted by: carl bratananalewski | Aug 4, 2007 11:52:00 PM

Those of you who are making your comments without seeing proof. Did you think of the crime this woman committed against a helpless child. What about the pain this child;s parents will go through until the end of their lives? She will go through less pain comparably but the world will be saved of such crimes when the precedent is stopped. Look at the American crime rate. It is one of the highest because there is no punishment for wrongdoers. Stop nagging and do what is right: stop the evil doers.

Posted by: WakeupAmerica | Aug 5, 2007 7:59:54 AM

roy

Foreigners get actually 1 st class treatment if they are white with blue eyes and blond hair . Most foreigners have better jobs , better homes, are served first , get greeted warmly compared to lets say , me a, An Arab from ALgeria . the reason they see those foreigners are Guests and are treated better . Indian ? may be not was well , racism ? Sure !

Posted by: fatima from Algeria | Aug 5, 2007 11:40:50 AM

Slavery is alive and well in Saudi Arabia, and you people bitch about AMERICA?

God have mercy on your miserable myopic twisted souls.

Posted by: Heather | Aug 5, 2007 12:34:47 PM

hey! liberals, if you don't like it, go over there and whine about it. Bill clinton did nothing, because it's not your business, andymore then we allow other nations to tell us what to do.
We have the death penalty in our own nation. Who are we to tell them anything.

Posted by: freethink | Aug 5, 2007 3:56:58 PM

A true liberal is someone who wishes to advance human civilisation by keeping an open mind and seeking to understand the point of view of those who are often ignored by the majority. This is done by allowing complete freedom of thought and by not impeding the flow and exchange of ideas.

Liberalism, as well as conservatism, is needed for healthy growth of a culture. Liberalism advances, and conservatism checks those advances in the name of morality and common sense.

I am disturbed that the word "liberal" has been demonized so thoroughly that even truely liberal leaders are afraid to use it to self describe. I am a liberal. I'm proud to say it. Now stop trashing my political beliefs. Pretty please.

Posted by: Dawn | Aug 5, 2007 6:35:56 PM

"The baby died, and Nafeek was charged with murder, tried without an attorney and sentenced to death." Doesn't this, once again, tell us just how unjust those countries who follow Sheira law are? I mean, I thought that Islam was the religion of peace? What you don't hear is that "you have peace if you submit to Islam. If not, well you get your head cut off." Don't believe me? Do you best to find a history book and look it up.

Posted by: Greg | Aug 5, 2007 11:04:26 PM

It's just like people to be the armchair quarterbacks.Everyone has an answer.
We have thousands of admitted child molesters,and killers in this country that are freed by our judges to do the same crime again and again.
The judges are not held responsible either.
Where is the justice? No Where.
Go ahead -blame this on Bush or the parents or the girl- it just shows what a screwed up world we're living in.

Posted by: elsie | Aug 5, 2007 11:34:24 PM

We firmly believe in having a fair trial
like the united states has and then if
only then A death penalty was imposed then she should recieve it. but only by
lethal injection. They should adopt our
justice systems fair justice system.
and only if they can prove without a reasonable doubt that she did do it.

Posted by: Michael Manning | Aug 5, 2007 11:39:11 PM

Kudos to ABC for reporting something worthwhile, instead of all trash, all the time. Keep it up, and maybe one could even stand to tune in ABC news some day.

Posted by: Westmoreland | Aug 6, 2007 3:29:33 AM

This story IS shocking. I would urge an immediate invasion of Saudi Arabia to bring freedom and democracy to the people of that sorry nation. Of course, one or more of our very able American oil companies could then take over those oil fields and operate them efficiently and profitably. This could be a real win-win kind of deal. They get their freedom and democratic government and we get all their oil. Fair trade? You bet. And they will see it the same way once they get the knack of democratic practices.

Posted by: Arnold | Aug 6, 2007 9:21:39 AM

Hey guys,
Belive me it's not correct! The story is totaty fake. I'm from Saudi Arabia, iliving in the U.S., We don't have this kind of injustic. Belive me it's a fake. I did my reserach and found the case total incorrect.
Please we are 28, 000 students here. Respect us! don't hate us!

Posted by: Ahmad Alenizi | Aug 6, 2007 10:43:22 AM

Have any of the commenting geniuses looked at what goes on in China every day? Noooo, you go to the store and purchase more items made in China. And some here view China as a friendly country. How does that differ from our buying oil from the Saudis and our other dealings with them? Ignorance is no excuse for the dimwits who have posted the anti Saudi comments. I doubt that the Saudis favorably viewed Ruby Ridge or Waco (Bubba's justice) as examples of how American justice is practiced.

Posted by: Richard Manning | Aug 6, 2007 11:21:10 AM

I'd like to understand one thing. Everyone is jumping on the self-proclaimed "innocent girl" bandwagon just for the simple fact that this case happened in Saudi Arabia. For any story, there are two sides that needs to be examined carefully. As far as I know, there are c