The Maldives’ peaceful transition to democracy has “set an important precedent in the Asia-Pacific region and serves as a beacon in the broader Muslim world,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in parliament today.
In a keynote address titled ‘Responding to the Past while Safeguarding the Future: the Challenge of Protecting Human Rights in the context of Democratic Transition,’ Pillay observed that as democratic transitions “are always fragile,” the recent history of the Maldives contained lessons for newly-established democracies.
Pillay praised the reform milestones achieved by the Maldives since 2003, including the establishment of a Human Rights Commission, the introduction of political parties, accession to main international human rights instrument, the drafting of a “new and very progressive constitution” and the first multi-party elections that followed its ratification in August 2008.
“This year, we have witnessed the same strong aspirations for democracy and human rights in the Middle East and North Africa which have brought dramatic and positive changes to the political environment of the region,” she said.
“After decades of oppression and systemic human rights violations, men and women of different ages, political orientations and social origins have come together in an unprecedented movement to bring about political change and to demand social justice.”
Strong and stable institutions
Pillay noted that successful transition to a functioning democracy was “very much contingent on the existence of independent institutions” and separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary.
While acknowledging that the new institutions started working “with limited resources and within a volatile and politicised environment,” Pillay said it was imperative for all parties to “embrace the path of reform and develop a culture of dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect.”
She urged parliament to enact long-delayed legislation and the judiciary to be “independent and forward-looking in applying the law in accordance with the constitution and international human rights obligations of the Maldives.”
The executive should meanwhile “respect the roles and independence of the other arms of the state and ensure effective implementation of the rule of law.”
Islam and democracy
The reform movement of the Maldives and public uprisings of the Arab Spring has established “the congruence between rights guaranteed by Islam and universally recognised human rights,” Pillay stated, which is “proof that Islam is not incompatible with human rights and democracy.”
She welcomed the ‘House of Wisdom’ initiative led by the Maldives, “which will help to promote an open and constructive debate, both inside and outside the Maldives, on how to reconcile international human rights standards and Islamic law.”
Social media
A third lesson for democratic transitions, said Pillay, was use of the internet and new social media to mobilise the public.
Activists, journalists and bloggers in the Maldives “opened new spaces for debate,” she observed, noting the changes to “repressive habits of the past” through decriminalising defamation and removing restriction to freedom of assembly.
The Associated Press (AP) however reported yesterday that Pillay expressed concern with reports of rising religious intolerance in the Maldives during a meeting with President Mohamed Nasheed.
The AP referred to the vandalism of monuments donated by Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the recently-concluded SAARC summit over allegedly “idolatrous” and un-Islamic imagery.
Women’s rights
While women were involved in the political mobilisation of countries in the Middle East and North Africa, Pillay stressed that “rights and opportunities for women in these societies still face many challenges.”
“I strongly believe that democracy for the half the people is no democracy at all,” she asserted.
Acknowledging efforts by both previous and current administrations to promote gender equality and the removal of the gender bar for public office in the 2008 constitution, Pillay however noted that discrimination against women and girls continued in the country.
“A powerful illustration of this trend is the flogging of women found guilty of extra-marital sex,” she explained. “This practice constitutes one of the most inhumane and degrading forms of violence against women, and should have no place in the legal framework of a democratic country.”
Pillay urged the authorities to foster national dialogue and debate “on this issue of major concern,” and called on parliament to pass legislation on domestic violence as well as other laws to ensure women’s rights.
In response to a Minivan News report in 2009 of an 18 year-old woman fainting after a 100 lashes, Amnesty International called for a moratorium on the “inhumane and degrading punishment.”
Of the 184 people sentenced to public flogging in 2006, 146 were female, making it nine times more likely for women to be punished.
“I also urge you to discuss the withdrawal of the remaining reservation to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women concerning equality in marriage,” Pillay said. “These are necessary steps, not only for protecting the human rights of women and girls in Maldives, but securing Maldives’ transition.”
On the problem of migrant workers in the country, Pillay urged the government to enforce the non-discrimination clause in the constitution by adopting a comprehensive law and ratifying the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.’
Transitional justice
Lastly, the UN High Commissioner observed that new democracies faced a common problem of transitional justice or “establishing accountability for past human rights violations.”
“Addressing the past is often a complicated political dilemma, but we should never lose sight of the right victims have to truth, justice and redress,” she said.
Without coming to terms with human rights abuses and injustices committed by ousted regimes, said Pillay, “transitional democracies will face continued challenges in the path towards democracy, respect for human rights and ending impunity.”
Referring to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, Pillay revealed that she urged President Mohamed Nasheed to “lead a national consultation on this important subject.”
Pillay concluded her address by predicting that the Maldives “will increasingly have a special role to play in the region and the Muslim world as it has pioneered a democratisation process that is both modern and Islamic.”
“I firmly believe that the Maldives can make history as a moderate Islamic democracy. This opportunity cannot be missed, for the benefit of Maldives and of the wider region,” she said.
“Difficult road ahead”
Pillay, a South African national of Tamil descent who served as President of the International Criminal Tribunal on Rwanda for eight years, today concluded her three-day stay in the first-ever visit to the Maldives by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Meanwhile, in his remarks after the speech, Speaker Abdulla Shahid said the parliament was “honoured to have you here, a person who has fought tremendously for human rights in your country and is committed to the promotion of human rights all over the world.”
“As you have rightly said, Maldives has pioneered many of the experiences that the Arab Spring is spreading through the Arabian peninsula and the North African region,” he said.
“I can assure you, Madam High Commissioner, that we will not let our guard down. We know how difficult the job has been. We know how difficult the road ahead of us is. And we will continue to work in the national interest of this nation and we will succeed in this endeavor.”
He added that the leadership of the legislature, judiciary and executive is “fully committed” to upholding the liberal constitution of 2008, which is “a living document which we are going through everyday.”
“The experiences that we have had are strengthening the democratic structure of this country,” he said.
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A bit high coming from a pro-abortonist.
Lets ask Mrs. Pillay about the rights of the unborn baby.
I expect the Adhaalath will be calling for her head soon. Or is it only anti-islamic when Maldivians try to have this debate?
Exactly right.
I cannot feel more ashamed than when I see crowds gathered outside the "Justice" building to watch some poor girl being publicly flogged for the 'sins' perhaps every eager onlooker is himself/herself also guilty of.
The hypocrisy of that scene never fails to hit me every time.
Flogging is a barbaric act meant for Bedouins and for their culture.
Islam and democracy has two separate paradigms. It has to be either Islam or Human rights. Islam has divine laws unchangeable and clearly against human rights. When people are talking about Islam that it does not prevent human rights, they are trying to appease Islamite and accommodate human rights at the same time. This is impossible for human rights to prevail in a country like Maldives where majority of people are ignorant and Islamic minister Majeed like uneducated Mullahs who do not have cognitive ability to rationalize religion to be competitive in 21st Century, have political leverage. Quran clearly commands floggings in its definitive meaning, Majeed has no doubt that this the command of creator and unchangeable, who on earth can convince him to be more civilized and try to see the moral in Quran and adopt the same morality that is acceptable for 21st century.
We are never going to transition as long as people are willing to choose groups like Adhaalath and Jamiyathul Salaf. We're not even near a full democracy, and already it looks like we'll never get there because of moderate appeasement towards these organizations who would seek to END ANY DEMOCRACY.
Only women get flogged for a 'crime' by definition is committed by two persons. Ofcourse, it is gender based violence! As for everyone who is getting all hot and bothered about this, we are yet to see any of you calling to cut off the hands of thieves. For you, Sharia only applies only when poor tortured women, pregnant and abandoned by their partners are concerned. Hypocrites, all of you!
Maldives faces thousand and one problems from
poverty
drug abuse,
child molestation,
corruption,
unemployment,
high prices,
debt,
crammed living space,
political chaos
very basic things need to be sorted out first and listening to the Human rights commissioner cannot solve any of them.
Maldives has yet to reach that stage of development.
now somebody tell me WHO determined WHOSE human rights? according to these UN folk,samesex relations is a 'human right'. But WHO exactly said that? Who is that somebody who is so powerful that he can dictate over our belief? who??
Thank you raspberry. Could not say more. We have our priorities all wrong.
Civil and political rights at the expense of the lives and living standards. Are we willing to make this trade?
For flogging to be applicable as a punishmet to fornication, the act must be established by the witness of four trustworty men except by confession. In this context, it is a near impossibility that fornication could be punished by flogging. Normally, sexual activities are secretive, and it is unlikely that a couple would invite four trustworthy men to witness them having sex, especially when it is outside marriage.
Islam and democracy will never mix. They will never be compatible.
Democracy is by far a better model, for the current times that Islam will ever be. Even if Islam had been sent through a hundred heavens! It was a better model for the Arabian Camels, of the 6th century. Even then for a few decades only. After which it crumbled under logic.
And unfortunately, its the bearded idiots, or the hypocrites that take it upon themselves as the executors of the heaven-sent directions. Why can't these idiots realize, that God can and will punish when He feels things have gone beyond control. It is not up to the beardee (with his salivating mouth dripping with lust) to whack a young girl on the butt, in front of men with hard-ons.
raspberry,
Bigotry, misogyny and injustice could very well be in your list......lets drop the "Why spend billions on space travel when there are homeless people" adage and at the very least express outrage at this madness.
would you "civilized" 21st century people let me screw your daughters or sisters without marriage?
@Anees had got it right...partly...because even a confession does not prove that the woman consented to fornication. The fact that a woman gave birth out of wedlock does not prove she consented to the act..There are two forces applicable to rape a woman..one is physical force...the other is mental power...and how can anyone prove that a woman is confessing that she consented to a certain man only to speak the truth ?? Could'nt she be trying to tarnish the man's reputation?? And so the only way ...is four men with eight eyes...which actually means open and unabashed fornication out of wedlock, out in the open....So no flogging...and Lalala for Majeed and all the other idiots who got the wrong end of what Ms Pillai was saying.....
Dear Speaker,
Could you please invite finishing school teachers or kindergarten teaches to deliver lecture to the right honorable members, everyday of the week, I have a feeling it would be much more effective.
Thank you.
"Civil and political rights at the expense of the lives and living standards. Are we willing to make this trade?"
What a totally stupid statement! Civil and political rights and higher living standards go hand in hand. Show us an example where civil and political rights have been curbed and there's an abundance of high living standards.
For thousands of years, we have tried to improve our living standards at the "expense" of civil and political rights. Did that work?
What strikes me most, every time I must find a way with my child through a crowd gathering in front of the justice bulding... is how to explain to him that we mistake Islam as an unworthy totalitarian dogma, which instills in human beings what is most low and crude: the joy of seeing a fellow being totally humiliated and hurt in public. For a crime committed...by most of us ( too clever to get caught )
The true meaning of Islam is the opposite: instilling feelings of sympathy and understanding.Forgiving!!!
i will tell you who decided who has what rights. WE! and god, ofcourse. the golden rule is present in almost all religions. do unto others as you would to your self. you dont want religious persecution of muslims? then dont friggin persecute people of other faiths/nofaith. dig it? the world is a test, so dont bully people into writing YOU answers in their papers. mmkayy?!
I am not surprised at some of the comments above that Islam and democracy are incompatible. Because that is what we see in the actions of the Adhalath party, the salaf movement. This is what we hear from the men who believe themselves to be Islamic scholars because they spent a few years in madhrasaas in Pakistan or got higher education degrees in universities soaked in Wahhabi and Salaf ideology. This is what we see in Pakistan Afganistan, Saudhi Arabia Iran and other societies which have embraced Wahhabism as the way of Islam. These societies have tarnished and distorted the word of Allah and Prophet Mohamed (Peace be Upon Him) to carve the fascist political movement they call an Islamic movement. And it looks like Maldives is following suit.
It is my opinion that Islam has been hijacked by people who seek to impose their distorted narcissistic, fascist and misogynist views on our people through fear, self doubt, guilt and intimidation. How different is this movement to the Nazi movement?
I believe the salaf movement is anti social, anti Maldives and anti Islam. Islam is not prescriptive, it is a religion for all times for all sexes, for all races. I do not see the compassion, tolerance, love, peace and service that Islam advocates from these people. I see hatred, racism, sexism, and intolerance.
Perhaps its time the parliament called for a a vote of no confidence in the Minister of Islamic Affairs. He has not only failed to curb the anti social fascist elements, agents of the global Wahhabi and Salaf Movement masquerading as servants of Islam, he has also failed to create oppportunities for us to practise our religion with the freedom, and rights that our religion gives us. Enough is enough.
Who cares if punishments are 'humiliating' and 'degrading'. Should have thought of that before they engaged in the 'crime'.
//Exactly right.
I cannot feel more ashamed than when I see crowds gathered outside the “Justice” building to watch some poor girl being publicly flogged for the ‘sins’ perhaps every eager onlooker is himself/herself also guilty of.
The hypocrisy of that scene never fails to hit me every time.//
Nobody cares about your feelings of 'shame'. When did your feelings become so important that your thoughts and ideas take precedence on what our laws should and shouldn't be?
You have no proof that 'every ''eager'' onlooker' is guilty of the same crime (yes a crime, not a 'sin'). Please stop projecting yourself onto everyone else.
Fancy yourself a higher being who has come to show us uncivilised and babaric Maldivians the right path, dont'cha?
Civil and political rights at the expense of the lives and living standards.
Exactly what sort of hallucinogen are you on, Mr. tsktsk?
Now the bigots are calling for the UN building to be torched and Navi to be killed.
salim waheed, why dont you ask your father to actually do something about stopping people sending their children to school and not giving vaccines instead of your anti islamic rantings?
i am so sick of both these extremists at the opposite ends of the spectrum. neither of them have any respect for maldivians
peasant - good you raised your point
Many of whys raspberry has raised is because rights of the vulnerable are not met. rights is part of the parcel and the whys you listed are consequences
"The reform movement of the Maldives and public uprisings of the Arab Spring has established “the congruence between rights guaranteed by Islam and universally recognised human rights,” Pillay stated." What a load of absolute cods-wallop. It is like saying that just because an apple goes up when it is hurled as a projectile, the law of gravity has ceases universally until the apple commences its descent. Islam being compatible with human rights is an oxymoron.
Scandal of the century!
The problem with the UN is that it fails to address the bigger picture: freedom of religion.
You can't change Islamic concepts but you can end such 'degrading' treatment by allowing Maldives women to choose other religions if they want to escape this 'degrading' treatment because Islam gives freedom of religion.
This is why most of these UN efforts fail to bring about real change to any country. Such narrow-minded vision.
If you don't want to be flogged,stop extramarital sex. Its simple as that. But nooooo, that's a human right. Hypocrites.
Very undiplomatic statements. Shame that a body such as UN has such airheads who have no respect for other cultures and religions.
I have started reading the dhivehi translation of Qur'an and find that it contradicts what a lot of these so called Islamic scholars are preaching.
I was deluded into believing that the motive for denying religious freedom was for the sovereignty of the Dhivehin, and for the love of the soul of your loved ones. I was wrong.
The nature of this repression has become clear to, and this flogging women issue adds an extra dimension of clarity to this. I have seen clearly that the motive for repressing freedom of conscience is nothing but contempt for the soul of another, it is jealous rage, it is the will to dominate and repress the soul of another, it is power hunger, NOT LOVE, it is RAW addiction to the erotically arousing power of pure SELFISHNESS, it is HATE! It ends in pain for ALL!
Religious tyranny must be resisted, it is evil. For the sanctity of humanity, it must be resisted NOW!
Talk of a slow, gradual development of a culture of tolerance through education, economic growth etc... is a delusion! It is a cunning way to prolong freedom!
Freedom has always been won through the pain of resistance, through dramatic struggle, freedom of religion was never GIVEN by the Roman Empire or by Bani Qureysh until they would be doing themselves political damage to continue repressing it! Freedom for democracy, lierty has never been realized through so called top down approaches, it has always been bled for through painful resistance!!!!
There is no way to achieve liberation from such tyranny in the Maldives in a manner which does not involve the pain of conflict with ones loved ones, and with others, I only urge that the conflict be non-violent! yet it is a struggle which must be had for the realization of freedom from massive suffering! Any conflict endured, all suffering endured through this conflict will prove worth it once the tyranny has been eradicated, you have to believe in your sould connectedness to the consequence of your sufferings and go out and RESIST!!!
Previously I used to think it is Anni who always dances to some Westerners' tunes. Now I have reaslied that there are old women who will dance to Anni's tunes too.
More than 1000 cases of child abuse reported in 2011....latest statistics reveal. Seventy percent (70%) victims are girls and the crime is sexual abuse and sexual slavery. The youngest victims is probably the size of your palm.
Can you believe a man forcing his erected penis into a female child who cant even talk or walk! and when found guilty, he is left to stay comfortably at home.
Young girls are repeatedly sexually abused in their OWN houses by uncles, cousins or close relatives, and the society knows and keeps quite!
Maldivian men can marry women of any religion, allow them to worship their gods, drink alcohol, fornicate and no one finds it stupid. But Maldivian women can marry only muslim men if not have them converted into islam before marriage. What the hell is this?
We don't have test tube baby technology in Maldives therefore any pregnancy means sexual intercourse. In Maldives girls as well as women found pregnant before marriage have been flogged, jailed, pictures paraded on media and reputation tarnished. The horny men are never mentioned, never arrested and live normal lives. The unfortunate born kids end up in Villingili home of the 'unwanted children'.
The UN lady spoke the truth that hurts. Adhalath party with their conservative supporters should be ashamed to call themselves muslims yet people in their circles are the ones promoting this human slavery, sexual slavery, child abuse in the name of religion and lust.
A girl dressed in black veil and long black dress will have a child less than 2 years old and at the same time pregnant. The use of contraceptives is prohibited by Wahaabi cult which is now spreading like fire all over. Girls as young as 16 are getting married, at 17 have a kid and at twenty they have more than two..and look ageing. In early twenties they either pray to god in the day and serve the man in the night till they die. Clever ones get divorced.
Every human being deserves freedom and equality irrespective of religion, race, status or origin. In America and Europe, people are camping in main squares fighting against inequality in society. In sister muslim countries, revolutions are happening for freedom and equality. In our houses in male, our children are revolting against parents for freedom and equality..
This is 21st century where we think before we do, where we work to earn, we eat well to be healthy, we respect others because all humans are equal. So why the hell cant we just accept the truth, and stop living secretive lives pretending we are good muslims yet we many not?'
The children that were sexually abused for years under a prominent muslim scholor, teacher, parent and Adhalath member at a Male islamic school...will forever live a tormented life and hate religion because it abused them when their minds were adulterated. For such people and those who promote human slavery and slavery of women, they should be hanged or burnt alive for they have taken a way the most important human right of a child, a girl, a woman!!
....after her speech in parliament, everyone rushed to shake the UN golden lady hand, and even the majlis president spoke very well about her.
None of the majlis members including those making noise now, did take this opportunity to stand up and tell the UN lady that she was talking against islam or maldivian laws. None of them, especially the Islamic minister and his followers had the guts to intervene the speech (which they could by law)..
..they ran like kids just to shake a hand of a non muslim as they say...and once she left, they run to the media and talk absolutely RUBBISH!
'Two-face mirrow' Adhalath Cult
..minivan, are you afraid to publish my comments i posted few minutes back which is straight to the facts?
..i thought we have the freedom to express ourselves!!!
“new and very progressive constitution” Is she daft? That constitution, for the first time, codified the hitherto myth that Maldives prohibited freedom of religion. Now it is no longer a myth and this woman has just given credence and respectability to that position.
Sabina Manik wrote "The true meaning of Islam is the opposite: instilling feelings of sympathy and understanding.Forgiving!!!" No, you said it earlier. The true meaning of Islam is "...as an unworthy totalitarian dogma, which instills in human beings what is most low and crude: the joy of seeing a fellow being totally humiliated and hurt in public." That's it. Do an honest soul search and you will know that that is what you will have to tell your child, if you were honest.
Group titled "Maldivians will come out to slay Pilley who opposes the Quruan." has come up on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/299880833366523/
Mrs Pillay, let me paraphrase your advice to the people of Maldives. You didn't say as much but probably this is what intended on saying. "Dump Islam and all will be well". Wisdom in seven words.
@ Rooster
Previously I used to think old women dance only to Maumoon's tunes. Now I have realised that there are old women who dances to Annis tunes too.
Islam and democracy will never go hand in hand.So Hippocratic Maldivians will not support such statements from UN or anybody. The so called moderate muslims here will also keep their mouth shut and let the fanatics like adaalath and jameeyathun salaf go on with their crusades. Soon we all will realize that we are surrounded my Mullas and hate mongers in the name of religion.Bit by bit our freedom and liberty will be taken away.The naive Maldivians will be brainwashed while the rich and the politicains indulge in their greed and ignorance.The opposition is also toying behind these fanatics, but they fail to realize if they get into power they too will be considered infidels by the Mullas. until this country is ruled by the mullas this will not end.
sorry, but Ms Pillay has lost all credibility with her statement that she does NOT have proper constitution! this is highly unprofessional of her of her and and this will have a lot of negative impact on our efforts to remove discrimination in this country. already he only the focus has shifted from the real issue, that its the women who are flogged and not men, and flogging of women is the only hadhu that is practiced here.
i would also like to say that the VETO powers in the UN is of more significance than the clauses in the constitution which states only allows islam in this country
Isn’t it bit ludicrous for Maldivians to support flogging? In Maldivian culture sex out of marriage is something very common and those who had voiced in support of this rigid custom are themselves sinners in the same sin. Isn’t this what you call hypocrisy? I am against it because I have committed this sin I don’t want that I should be flogged. I do measure everyone with the same yardstick including me.
We have never seen women supporting the flogging, is it not enough to prove this is against women’s right. What a bunch of low witty stuff the Maldivians are something cooking up their brain. I call it Islanders syndrome
Meena,
I am not against Islam at all. In fact I am wholly against secularism in the Maldives. What I am against is conservatism that causes social isolation, racism, and intolerance. What I am against is the arabization of our nation.
As for the Vice President, he has said consistently that school upto 10th grade at least should be mandatory and forcibly enforced by the government. He has said that denying children vaccines is the height of irresponsibility but until we have a capable child protective service in our nation we. Cannot effectively monitor these things.
Being against conservatism does not mean that one is against Islam. The only school of Shari'a that thinks that way is the Hanbali Maddhab which Salafism, Wahhabism, and most terrorist ideologies developed from. And I have no problem standing against them. And I am ashamed that so many Maldivians choose to ignore it.
Islam and Democracy will never go hand in hand. That is a fact.
Democracy doesn't take its marching orders from the majority, rather, it commits itself to the interests of a few who control the wealth of a nation. And the population are given a few insignificant issues to debate about in order to keep up with the facade of 'rule by the people'.
Islamic Law is God's directive on how to live and govern ourselves in this world. Every Government commits injustices and an Islamic Government will be guilty of the same. Its injustices are that the certain freedoms are extirpated and criminals are forced to bear punishments that that does not bode well with our humanity. But what God has ordained must be followed whether we like it or not.
Maldives was doomed the day the mr Barakaath stepped on to our soil.
Why the hell does he have to spread the seeds of terror and horror? I blame him.
In any case, the country is now doomed. Politics, religion, hypocrisy, ignorance, stupidity is all mixed. Worst of all, every one feels he is a doctorate on religion and politics.
A 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl allegedly raped by a much older cousin has died after being publicly flogged for adultery, media reports said.
Hena Begum was sentenced to receive 100 lashes by a village council made up of elders and Muslim clerics in the district of Shariatpur, about 35 miles from the capital, Dhaka, the BBC said today.
She endured about 80 lashes before collapsing Monday, according to The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi newspaper. Her family took her to a hospital, where she died.
"What sort of justice is this? My daughter has been beaten to death in the name of justice. If it had been a proper court then my daughter would not have died," Dorbesh Khan, the girl's father, told the BBC.
Family members said Hena was raped by a 40-year-old married cousin, The Daily Star said. The man's family beat up the teen, then accused of her adultery, the newspaper said.
The very next day, she was sentenced to the flogging in a fatwa, or religious ruling, issued by the village council under Islamic Shariah law, the BBC said.
Her father was also told pay a fine of about $700, police told the BBC.
Four people, including a Muslim cleric, have been arrested in connection with Hena's death, the BBC said. Police said they were looking for another 14 people in the case.
Bangladesh's high court has ordered district officials in Shariatpur to explain why they did not protect the girl, The Daily Star said. The court ruled eight months ago that Shariah punishment was illegal.
In December, a 40-year-old woman in Rajshahi district died after she was publicly caned for allegedly carrying on an affair with her stepson.
Noun 1. flogging - beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment .
ahah if this will be here wau then the show must go on, freddy merkury , QUEEN.