SAVE GIRLS FROM EVIL! THIS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!!!

Dear friends across the world,

The family members who tortured a 12-year old child bride have just been released early from prison and now Afghan lawmakers want to pass a law to ensure that family members can never testify as witnesses. This is a green light for more women and girls to be abused at home, but we can stop the law if our outcry is loud enough! Click to sign!

Sold into marriage at 12, Sahar Gul lived in a house of horrors. Her in-laws chained her in the basement, beat her with red hot iron pipes, starved her and pulled out all her fingernails when she refused to prostitute herself for them.

Her attackers’ sentence was reduced to one year, and now they’re free again! And, worse, the Lower House of Parliament just passed a bill that would ban victims’ family members testifying in court. This would prevent countless children and women from getting justice.

Sahar’s lawyers are fighting back, but they need our help to stop the Upper House passing this bill! Let’s call on President Karzai to step in -- he’s concerned about this, and targeted international pressure can make the difference. Sign now to stand with Afghan women and prevent their justice system being disastrously weakened!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/justice_for_sahar_gul_a/?bKXtveb&v=27221

As a child, Sahar Gul was sold by her brother for $US 5,000 into a home of horrific abuse. When she was finally rescued, torture left her so weak that she came out of her basement prison in a wheelbarrow. Last year her tormentors received 10-year sentences, but a lower court judge just set them free.

Afghan women’s rights groups and female Parliamentarians, aghast at the rolling back of their rights have been actively supporting Sahar Gul’s case and working to ensure that relatives aren’t banned from testifying against victim’s aggressors. If we join these brave women now, we can show the Afghan politicians that the entire world stands behind Afghan women.

Because of the new developments in Afghanistan, there is a real danger that Sahar Gul’s in-laws who might already be on the run will get away with their crimes and countless future perpetrators will as well. That’s why we need to raise the alarm now. Sign to get their leaders to protect, not persecute women.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/justice_for_sahar_gul_a/?bKXtveb&v=27221

Afghan women’s rights advocates and extraordinary survivors of abuse have stepped forward time and again to fight for human rights. Over the years, Avaaz members from around the world consistently rallied to back them up. Let’s do it again.

With hope and determination,

Dalia, Alaphia, Alex, Ricken, Luis, Mais and the rest of the Avaaz team

PS - Many Avaaz campaigns are started by members of our community! Start yours now and win on any issue - local, national or global: http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?bgMYedb&v=26859