The in-laws of a 15-year-old Afghan girl who became a symbol of women's rights abuse have been sentenced to 10 years in prison for torture and human rights violations. Sahar Gul was rescued from a basement in northeastern Baghlan province in late December after her uncle alerted authorities. She had been kept captive for six months following her arranged marriage.
Her husband's father, mother and sister were each given 10-year sentences by a court in Kabul on Tuesday. The husband, a member of the Afghan army, and her brother-in-law are still at large and will be sentenced when captured. Sahar, who was present for the verdict, called for severe punishment and has appealed for longer sentences with the help of Women for Afghan Women.
The case sparked international condemnation and renewed calls to strengthen women's rights and end underage marriage in Afghanistan. The legal marriage age is 16, but UN Women estimates half of all girls are forced to marry before 15. Progress has been made since the Taliban's fall, but traditional practices such as child marriage and honour killings persist.
Sahar, who suffered broken fingers, torn-out fingernails and burns from hot irons, is recovering physically and emotionally. She has shown bravery by speaking in court, according to Huma Safi of Women for Afghan Women, who said the girl is now keen to study and socialise again.
