Religious Justice

On the day that three British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan by another improvised explosive device - a separate news report confirmed the death of a young Afghan woman (Halima) - who was executed by her father, in front of an audience of 300 people.

Halima's crime was to run away from her husband - thereby dishonouring her family.

Apparently Halima, who was between 18 and 20 and a mother of two, fled from the family home with her male cousin - and sought refuge in the mountains.

But after a week or so the cousin took off and the man who had taken the couple in - tracked down and handed Halima back to the tender mercies of her father - who had probably sold her off like a donkey in the first place, of course.

Halima's father then took advice from the religious elders in the area - Badghis - where the Government's influence is poor and the Taleban hold sway.

The decision came back in the shape of a religious order - or fatwa - that Halima deserved to be put to death for dishonouring her father and her family - and Dad did the deed himself by pulling the trigger and executing his daughter in front of a crowd of 300 local people.

So, Halima is dead - the victim of a medieval, religious culture which is deeply misogynistic towards women - treating them little, if any, better than cattle and dogs.

Meanwhile the Afghan Police say that Halima's father and the runaway cousin are both still missing - but I would be surprised if either of them are helping the police with their enquiries anytime soon.

Afghan authorities helpfully explain that 'fleeing from a husband' is not in itself a crime in   Afghanistan - but it is often used by prosecutors as evidence of intent to commit adultery - which is a crime and punishable by death.

But only for women - judging by this case and many others.