November 28, 2007

• 40 Lashes

  I was just reading a description of what it is like to get 40 lashes.

  

  Here is one man’s story:

  “Then I was told to lie face down on a rug on the floor, still wearing my prison uniform.

  The lashing started immediately. One, two, three – in quick succession. I buried my head into my forearms, gritted my teeth and concentrated on not breaking down.

  The man lashing me was the tallest and biggest of the three policeman.

  He was supposed to have a book – usually the Koran – under his arm to reduce the swing and stop him from lifting the cane above his head, but there was no sign of it.

  Four, five, six, seven – they kept coming thick and fast. At first the pain wasn’t too much and I could feel where he was hitting me.

  The blows were raining down on my body, from the shoulder blades to the calves, then back up again.

  But with each blow, the skin softened and the pain grew and grew to the point that my whole back felt like it was on fire.

  Soon it was unbearable, but they kept coming, mostly on my left shoulder and calf. I had to summon up all my control not to move.

  I didn’t realize the human body could generate and tolerate such pain. I had never felt anything like it before, and I hope I will never feel anything like it again.

  At about 20 I lost count because I was in too much pain, but someone else was counting each stroke out loud in Arabic.

  I had to grit my teeth even more and screwed up my eyes.

  I was determined not to make a sound and to lie perfectly still.

  Only one of us would leave this room with their dignity intact – me.

  After a while I had no idea where he was hitting, even though my clothes were getting torn. The last ten strokes were agony, bloody agony.

  I thought I was going to pass out.

  Then just as quickly as it started, it was over. Thirty to 40 seconds was all it had lasted. I was left to stagger to my feet and walk out.

  The first person I saw was the prison governor. He said: ‘You are still alive then?’ I replied: ‘Yes, I’m fine.’

  I was shaking uncontrollably, but just glad it was all over.

  Although I’d been given a medical check before I was beaten, there was nothing afterwards.

  A fellow inmate counted the marks on my back and there were scores of weals – blue and black, surrounded by yellow swellings and extremely painful. Any movement set them on fire.

  I couldn’t lie on my back for days and, two weeks later, I was still in pain.

  Today, the scars have healed, but I will never forget the ordeal.”

  Here is the link:  Link

  We already have capital punishment here and we use taser guns.  I am sure that looks cruel to people of other countries.  So many appear to agree with spankings.

  Do you think it would do our country some good to begin giving lashes?  

                                                                                              

  • 8:07 pm
  • 73 Comments