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Afghan Child Rape: Defending Freedom to Abuse
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by Barry ORegan | June 17, 2008 at 06:15 am
6479 views | 17 Recommendations | 12 comments
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Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor
Certainly sickening, when as a Canadian soldier in a country you are sworn to protect witness hidden atrocities of allies you have trained who may one day save your life in a firefight think nothing of taking advantage of children for thier sick pleasures.
How Nato soldiers can stand by and witness this and not shoot them on sight, must be an unimaginable stress in a even hostile country where it seems anything goes, and children desperate to do anything to keep alive and a police force all too ready to take advantage of it.
Police rape of Afghan boys ignored
Don Martin, National Post Published: Tuesday, June 17, 2008
OTTAWA -Canadian soldiers in the main guard tower at forward operating base Wilson last summer winced when I asked about the sudden lineup of teenage boys along the mud walls of the neighbouring Afghan market.
"Wait a few minutes. You'll see," said one, his lip curling. "It's disgusting."
Sure enough, a handful of uniformed Afghan police officers emerged from their rundown detachment, walked through the barricades and started chatting up the dozen or so teens, some looking decidedly pre-teen.
A few minutes after they returned, the selected kids were waved through the main gates and went straight inside the police station. An hour later, when I left the observation post, the boys were still inside.
This evening ritual is often derided by soldiers as man-love Thursdays.
Afghan officials insist the notion of men and boys getting together the night before the Muslim holy day for sex is a myth. And, sure, it's theoretically possible the cops were merely good-deed-doers giving these teens reading lessons.
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Barry ORegan
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 09:31 on June 17th, 2008
While this is certainly a disturbing image if seen through the impression of the reporter... I wonder if he's considered a couple of points:
- this may be a case of prostitution, not rape (hinging, of course on the actual age of the 'boys', and if the 'boys' lined up of their own accord)
- this is not the province of Afghan police alone, and happens world wide... even in North America
- the social dynamics of the whole area are so messed up, I think this is a visual symptom of a much larger disease...
at 14:18 on June 17th, 2008
Thanks to you both for your comments. My point Nicole is these are our allies and we are to look the other way. Tell me any western city in the world who would allow this and not act! Just because it goes on in other countries does not make it right.
at 14:22 on June 17th, 2008
Ah, jeez, Barry. I thought this was against their (Afghans) religion. This must add unendurable stress to Western soldiers.
at 16:50 on June 17th, 2008
Thanks Rene., if I were that soldier I would do everything in my power to make sure those Policemen meet Allah as soon as possible.
at 14:34 on June 17th, 2008
I completely agree with both of you, Barry and Eastvanray... I guess my point is that this is actually much bigger than the albeit vile image. Social and political corruption is rampant, and we, as 'allies' are put in a nasty situation of trying to 'keep peace' while trying not to impose a structure. It's not as easy as just opposing and controlling the situation.
at 14:38 on June 17th, 2008
oh, and yes... community leaders have and likely still do behave like this in North America... we can dislike it all we like, but it does happen. I wonder if the vatican could lend some opinion on how to properly 'deal' with this behaviour.
at 16:53 on June 17th, 2008
Were discussing Afghanistan, granted it is everywhere but this story is about our soldiers and what they have to witness and are powerless in someways to stop it.War was never pretty, but to involve children as recreation deserves justice.
at 15:02 on June 17th, 2008
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 16:57 on June 17th, 2008
Thank you Rhonda,
at 17:01 on June 17th, 2008
You are very welcome, Barry!
at 18:22 on June 17th, 2008
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff. What the Afghan soldiers do is certainly awful, but how can the Canadian soldier just stand there and not do a thing?
at 21:07 on June 17th, 2008
When in a strange country, one doesn't have a lot of options, shoot your allies and Taliban and your former allies shoot you. Not an easy decision to say the least. Thanks for visiting rpshen, and your comments.