Women in Detention in the Middle East: A Human Rights Perspective

In: Al-Raida Journal, S. 17-26

Abstract

Women in the Middle East are systematically subjected to discrimination, prejudice, stereotypical treatment, and lack of protection by the law, customs and practice. Nowhere is this more evident than upon arrest or detention where they often find themselves subject to double discrimination : firstly, as "criminals", or offenders, and secondly as women. The protective Arab culture of the "honor" and "interest" of the woman suddenly vanishes, and what is normally seen as the unacceptable, suddenly becomes acceptable.