Two transgender women 'beaten to death' in Saudi Arabia
Amna and Meeno, aged 35 and 26, reportedly thrown into sacks and tortured by police
Two transgender women from Pakistan have allegedly been tortured to death by Saudi Arabian police, who reportedly threw them into sacks and beat them with sticks.
Known only as Amna and Meeno, they were among 35 people arrested for "cross dressing" during a police raid on a house in Riyadh, claim human rights activists.
"Amna, 35, who belonged to the Mingora area of Swat, and Meeno, 26, who was from Peshawar, died in police custody. The police allegedly packed them in sacks and thrashed them with sticks in prison," reports Pakistan's Express Tribune.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The group was said to be selecting a new "guru" at a "Guru Chela Chalan" gathering, a ceremony celebrated in the Pakistani transgender community, reports The Independent. Only 11 of them have been able to afford the 150,000 riyals (£33,000) payment for their release.
Gender reassignment surgery is illegal in Saudi Arabia, while homosexuality is punishable by death.
Qamar Naseem, a transgender rights activist from the Blue Veins campaign group, said it was a "very confusing" situation and that many people were feeling "delicate and scared".
He said: "Gender fluid people are treated badly, sometimes flogged, and if someone is arrested on the same law for a second time they can be executed.
"Torturing humans after throwing them into bags and beating them with sticks is inhumane. No one is there to save them as the life of a transgender is not of any value to anyone, not even for our own government."
Amnesty International said it had been unable to confirm the attack, but urged authorities to conduct a "thorough and independent" investigation.
It said: "The authorities must diligently investigate any possible discriminatory motive in these crimes, including discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'His story should be here'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Not cross buns': the row over recipe revamps
Talking Point New versions of the Easter favourite have sparked controversy but sales are soaring
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The England kit: a furore over the flag
Why everyone's talking about Nike's redesign of the St George's Cross on the collar of the English national team's shirt has caused controversy
By The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published