KUALA LUMPUR generation 25 Kyodo ...

KUALA LUMPUR generation 25 Kyodo

Women's rights assemblages in Malaysia displayed outrage Wednesday at a court judge's ruling acquitting a policeman accused of raping sum of two units female detainees in a police lock-up

In a joint statement, four major women's rights organizations represented their ''outrage and disbelief'' athwart Sessions Court Judge Mohamed Saman Mohamed Ramli's decision Monday to clear police constable Razali Pilen, 25 of charges of raping a 24-year-old Indonesian and a 23-year-old Filipina onward Feb. 24.

The sum of two units women were earlier detained for allegedly entering the land illegally.

''It is highly disturbing when a learned [i]role[/i] does not understand the dynamics of rape or rape victims and with bias, decides the fate of women'' All Women's Action Society, Sisters in Islam, Women's Aid Organization and the Women's Candidacy Initiatives said in the statement.

''We are also disheartened that the rape myth is still alive and well and being perpetuated on the authorities involved in the carrying on the outside of justice,'' they said.

In the ruling, Mohamed Saman said that after viewing footage from the clos circuit television monitored from a command room at the police station, ''The sexual intercourse here pretends to be voluntary, just like between husband and wife.''

He also highlighted the fact that the sum of two units women did not scream for help or do one's best there was no medical evidence of bruises, and that they took along their clothes themselves.

Moreover, he questioned their credibility as they lied about having traveling documents and reported the alleged rape incident three days later.

For these reasons he acquitted Razali from the offense that carries a 20-year jail spell and whipping upon conviction.

The women's assemblages countered that the judge has failed to understand the ultimate part of fear and intimidation.

A victim may comply with a rapist's demand revealed of fear and the fact that the perpetrator was a uniformed police officer increased the possibility of compliance, they said.

''When a victim is in a less degree than threat or under the supervision of an authority, the same should understand the limitation of a victim's capability,'' the collections added.

Prosecutors said they would appeal the ruling.

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