[Updated Monday 11:30 a.m.] Afghan police now say that while the woman's throat was slashed, it was not fully cut off - and therefore was not technically a "beheading."
[Updated Thursday 12:16 p.m.] A young woman had her head chopped off for refusing to prostitute herself - and one of the killers was her mother-in-law, police say.
The other was the mother-in-law's cousin. And both admit it, according to Afghan police.
To most people, the slaying of 20-year-old Mah Gul is unimaginable.
But it's just "one more incident that highlights the violent atmosphere that women and girls face in Afghanistan and the region," Suzanne Nossel, executive director of Amnesty International USA, said Thursday.
The killing happened Sunday in Herat province, in southwest Afghanistan along the Iranian border.
Gul's husband is a baker. When he left home for work, his mother and her cousin tried to force the young wife into prostitution, said Noorthan Mikvad, spokesman for Herat police.
When she wouldn't do it, they beheaded her, he said.
In a statement, Nossel said women and girls in the region "are raped, killed, forced into marriage in childhood, prevented from obtaining an education and denied their sexual and reproductive rights. Until basic human rights are guaranteed ... these horrible abuses will continue to be committed."
The U.S. State Department says some "Afghan women and girls are subjected to forced prostitution, forced marriages – including through forced marriages in which husbands force their wives into prostitution, and where they are given by their families to settle debts or disputes."
Some families even knowingly sell their children into forced prostitution, the State Department said, "including for bacha baazi – where wealthy men use groups of young boys for social and sexual entertainment."
Herat police say their investigation found that Gul's husband and father-in-law were not involved in her killing.
CNN has extensively reported on the abuse of girls and women in Afghanistan, a nation where under Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, women were banned from classrooms, politics or employment. Women who wanted to leave home had to be escorted by a male relative and were forced to wear burqas. Those who disobeyed were publicly beaten. In some parts of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, locals were encouraged to blacken the windows on their homes so women inside could not be seen.
The Afghan government, including a woman running for the presidency of the country, has tried to make it relatively easier for young women to go school. In 2004, girls were formally guaranteed a right to an education under the Afghan constitution.
Yet major problems persist and girls are in extraordinary danger in part of the country. They are terrorized walking to school. In 2009 in Peshawar, Pakistan, near Afghanistan, the Taliban issued an official edict mandating that no more girls should be able to go to school. That was after the Taliban had regained their stake in the control in the region after the 2001 invasion.
Girls and women's families sometimes abuse and kill them. In July, the Taliban executed a woman in public, justifying the killing by saying she had committed adultery.
In 2011, people around the world were appalled to learn about a then-13-year-old named Sahar Gul who had been married off to a member of the Afghan Army. Sahar said her husband raped her, and enraged that she didn't immediately conceive, her in-laws locked her in a basement for months. They tortured Sahar with hot pokers and ripped out her nails. Ultimately, she said, they wanted to force her into prostitution as punishment for failing her obligation as a woman.
Her face made famous on Time's cover, young Aesha had her nose and ears hacked off for running away from her husband's house. Aesha was brought to the United States. Her life continues to be hugely challenging as she's forever emotionally scared by the abuse she suffered.
Depraved religion, depraved arab/persian males.
That troll posing as Mitt Romney is trying way too hard. Booring!!
Maybe he is trying to hard. I noticed though you didn't state he was lying.
Exaggerating....And no I'm not a Romney fan nor do I have binders full of women.
+5 internets, Ken
Exaggerating? Based on what republicans have said, How exactly is he exaggerating?
Afghanistan is a Republican's dream.
-Killing of gays.
-Zero rights for women or atheists.
-State run religion, religion run state.
-No gun laws.
-No welfare.
-1% are exceedingly rich, 99% are exceedingly poor.
-Little in the way of education for all except the super rich.
-No real healthcare system.
-Vigilante justice.
Yep
You're adding such clarity to the discourse by spewing that venom. Please just log off.
your such an idiot
You are a lying jit bag...if you are going to have a cogent argument, come up with some real facts and evidence. You barrel of monkey spunk.
Idiots like you are the reason why things never improve on this planet. your support for the marxist liar obama is pathetic . you join him with lies and stupidity. Obama is an IDIOT! And so are you!
I repeat. Based on what republicans HAVE SAID. How is he wrong?
They are against gay rights
Spew Christianity every chance they get
Try to write laws based on Christianity
Cut/gut programs for the poor.
Tax cuts for the rich
Against healthcare reform
Against gun laws
Against welfare (except for corporations)
What exactly did he get wrong?
Afghanistan is a Republican's dream.
-Killing of gays.
-Zero rights for women or atheists.
-State run religion, religion run state.
-No gun laws.
-No welfare.
-1% are exceedingly rich, 99% are exceedingly poor.
-Little in the way of education for all except the super rich.
-No real healthcare system.
-Vigilante justice.
Mitt Romney approved!
Ah...go eat a bullet.
It's clearly a war against women by women for women.
Afghanistan is a Republican's dream.
-Killing of gays.
-Zero rights for women or atheists.
-State run religion, religion run state.
-No gun laws.
-No welfare.
-1% are exceedingly rich, 99% are exceedingly poor.
-Little in the way of education for all except the super rich.
-No real healthcare system.
-Vigilante justice.
"Romney/Ryan Never thousand and twelve"
May you rest forever in the arms of the angels. You're home, now. Nobody is going to hurt you again.
Peace.
Please spare us the Angels garbage. Where were the "Angels" before she was killed?
Actually according to most christians she's in Hell for being a muslim.
Go Islam! another fine exapmle of the kinder, gentler religion and culture.
Are you an out of work female? Listen to this message from the corporate GOP sponsors.
You have many jobs still available to you! Consider these exciting career options!
-Welfare bum: We rant about how bad unemployed Democrats are, but have you considered popping out 5 or 6 kids and declaring yourself an anti-contraception evangelical? Let the state pay your way as you raise cousin-lovin bible-thumpin kids!
-"Call Girl": Premarital relationships are a sin! But plenty of good solid pious christians need someone to help them live out their sinful dreams!
-Congresswoman: We're always willing to accept ANY female willing to denigrate themselves enough to join the party which stands against women's rights! We'll pay you big bucks just to deliver the occasional public message, or just to bring the REAL congressmen sandwiches!
-FOX News reporter: As soon as they hit 35 we fire all our female reporters (the public needs eye candy between long segments of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity denigrating the poor!) Consider a very high paying job- we'll even find you a husband to serve sandwiches to!
Are you an out of work female? Listen to this message from the corporate GOP sponsors.
You have many jobs still available to you! Consider these exciting career options!
-Welfare bum: We rant about how bad unemployed Democrats are, but have you considered popping out 5 or 6 kids and declaring yourself an anti-contraception evangelical? Let the state pay your way as you raise cousin-lovin bible-thumpin kids!
-"Call Girl": Premarital relationships are a sin! But plenty of good solid pious christians need someone to help them live out their sinful dreams!
-Congresswoman: We're always willing to accept ANY female willing to denigrate themselves enough to join the party which stands against women's rights! We'll pay you big bucks just to deliver the occasional public message, or just to bring the REAL congressmen sandwiches!
-FOX News reporter: As soon as they hit 35 we fire all our female reporters (the public needs eye candy between long segments of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity denigrating the poor!) Consider a very high paying job- we'll even find you a husband to serve sandwiches to!
TRUTH (Copyright 2012)
Are you an out of work female? Listen to this message from the corporate GOP sponsors.
You have many jobs still available to you! Consider these exciting career options!
-Welfare bum: We rant about how bad unemployed Democrats are, but have you considered popping out 5 or 6 kids and declaring yourself an anti-contraception evangelical? Let the state pay your way as you raise cousin-lovin bible-thumpin kids!
-"Call Girl": Premarital relationships are a sin! But plenty of good solid pious christians need someone to help them live out their sinful dreams!
-Congresswoman: We're always willing to accept ANY female willing to denigrate themselves enough to join the party which stands against women's rights! We'll pay you big bucks just to deliver the occasional public message, or just to bring the REAL congressmen sandwiches!
-FOX News reporter: As soon as they hit 35 we fire all our female reporters (the public needs eye candy between long segments of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity denigrating the poor!) Consider a very high paying job- we'll even find you a husband to serve sandwiches to!
-First Female President: Sure you won't have any real power, because we'll tell you what to do, but you'll be famous! You don't have to be qualified- just look at Sarah Palin! Just be beautiful and have a disarmingly quirky smile! We'll do anything to beat the Democrats at this goal, because they got the first black president and we're jealous!
Do us all a favor and drop dead.
Jihad joesafen what up can't get a chicks?To go boom well u know what's I mean you punk this ant veatnam yet good morening jihads we the people are still at war with an what's to come u will not 4get.pnm9pnm.pnm.
Are you an out of work female? Listen to this message from the corporate GOP sponsors.
You have many jobs still available to you! Consider these exciting career options!
-Welfare bum: We rant about how bad unemployed Democrats are, but have you considered popping out 5 or 6 kids and declaring yourself an anti-contraception evangelical? Let the state pay your way as you raise cousin-lovin bible-thumpin kids!
-"Call Girl": Premarital relationships are a sin! But plenty of good solid pious christians need someone to help them live out their sinful dreams!
-Congresswoman: We're always willing to accept ANY female willing to denigrate themselves enough to join the party which stands against women's rights! We'll pay you big bucks just to deliver the occasional public message, or just to bring the REAL congressmen sandwiches!
-FOX News reporter: As soon as they hit 35 we fire all our female reporters (the public needs eye candy between long segments of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity denigrating the poor!) Consider a very high paying job- we'll even find you a husband to serve sandwiches to!
-Televangelist: Have no job skills? Hear voices in your head? Addicted to drugs? Voila! You will make the perfect televangelist! Woo crowds of thousands of people! Make a six figure salary! Just remember the congregation owes you ten percent... you owe us ten percent for giving you the job!
Are you an out of work female? Listen to this message from the corporate GOP sponsors.
You have many jobs still available to you! Consider these exciting career options!
-Welfare bum: We rant about how bad unemployed Democrats are, but have you considered popping out 5 or 6 kids and declaring yourself an anti-contraception evangelical? Let the state pay your way as you raise cousin-lovin bible-thumpin kids!
-"Call Girl": Premarital relationships are a sin! But plenty of good solid pious christians need someone to help them live out their sinful dreams!
-Congresswoman: We're always willing to accept ANY female willing to denigrate themselves enough to join the party which stands against women's rights! We'll pay you big bucks just to deliver the occasional public message, or just to bring the REAL congressmen sandwiches!
-FOX News reporter: As soon as they hit 35 we fire all our female reporters (the public needs eye candy between long segments of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity denigrating the poor!) Consider a very high paying job- we'll even find you a husband to serve sandwiches to!
-Televangelist: Have no job skills? Hear voices in your head? Addicted to drugs? Voila! You will make the perfect televangelist! Woo crowds of thousands of people! Make a six figure salary! Just remember the congregation owes you ten percent... you owe us ten percent for giving you the job!
-First Female President: Sure you won't have any real power, because we'll tell you what to do, but you'll be famous! You don't have to be qualified- just look at Sarah Palin! Just be beautiful and have a disarmingly quirky smile! We'll do anything to beat the Democrats at this goal, because they got the first black president and we're jealous!
-Mitt Romney Assistant: Mitt is looking for some women he can put in a binder! Are you willing to be just a name on a sheet of paper, with breasts? This job is perfect for you! If you're part of the 47% all you have to do is 69!
What does any of your posts have to do with the fact that a young woman had her head chopped of by OTHER WOMEN. These fanatics will never change their mindsets. It's no wonder these women are afraid to stand up for themselves. They have no idea who their real enemy is. Poor girl.
LOL
Lol @ "Now come here, get into the binder and nobody gets hurt" 😀