Mukhtar Mai’s case in Pakistan

http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/02/mukhtar-mais-case-in-pakistan/

By Nicholas Kristof

I’ve often written about Mukhtar Mai, the Pakistani woman who used compensation money from a gang-rape to start schools and a women’s shelter. She’s one of my heroes, and lately there are some signs of funny business concerning the legal case against her attackers. Mukhtar has deeply offended the local feudal elites by championing the poor and pointing out the degree to which corruption protects the elites when they rape or abuse poor women. It’s no secret that some of those feudal families would like to see Mukhtar put in her place, even killed, and I hope the latest burst of activity doesn’t reflect that. Mukhtar’s aide, Samson Salamat, send around this note earlier today, and then Mukhtar just sent another note saying she’s deeply concerned. Here’s Samson’s note.