Libyan woman Eman al-Obeidy walked into a hotel in Tripoli, Libya, populated by foreign journalists in order to let the world know that Col. Moammar Qaddafi’s military forces had beaten and raped her. What followed was a violent scuffle, as al-Obeidy was forcibly removed by Qaddafi’s men, despite the protests and protections of international media. It was a violent and graphic reminder that women and girls often face specific and harrowing abuse in times of war and conflict.
According to reports, al-Obeidy burst into the breakfast room at the Rixos Hotel, where journalists had stayed at the request of the Gaddafi regime, panting and told the media she had been repeatedly raped and raped by 15 men of Gaddafi. “They say we’re all Libyans, and we are one people,”she said. “But look at what men Gaddafi has done for me, ” pointing to a bruise on his face, a scar on his tone and scratches on his leg. “I was tied, and they defecated and urinated on me. They raped my honor. “Al-Obeidy said that the true history of the struggle in Libya has not been said.” There is no outside media coverage, she said. “They swore at me and they filmed me. I was alone. There was whiskey. I was tied. I’m not afraid of anything. I’ll be locked up immediately after this “she added. ” Look at my face. Look at my back. ”
As al-Obeidy spoke to assembled media, many members of law Gaddafi stormed and forces withdrew. A security guard pulled a gun. Two members of staff of the hotel threatened al-Obeidy and media members with a knife and shouted: “Why are you doing this? You are a traitor! “Moussa Ibrahim, a government official said:” She’s drunk, she suffers from mental problems, she refuses to cooperation. It could be mentally ill. I insisted, even if she does not know what is good for , she should have a lawyer. Attorney think this is an ordinary criminal case of rape. “A member of the media, Charles Clover of the Financial Times, was thrown into a van and driven to the border because the Libyan officials felt the reports were “inaccurate. ”
Al-Obeidy’s whereabouts are currently unknown. Ibrahim claimed that “her safety is of course guaranteed,” and that authorities were investigating her accusations.
