ASIA/AFGHANISTAN - The drama of "bacha-bazi", boys kidnapped and sold, used as spies

Tuesday, 7 March 2017

Internet

Kabul (Agenzia Fides) - For many years activists for human rights in Afghanistan have been putting pressure on government authorities to take action to prohibit and severely punish those responsible for the cruel practice of bacha-bazi. It is a widespread practice of sex slavery, that is used by war lords, military and police, but also by some politicians and rich and influential people. A practice that sees young boys, between 10 and 18 years of age, kidnapped, dressed up as women and sexually abused during parties.
Bacha bazi, in Farsi, means boy play. Taliban insurgents, fighting government forces, use bacha-bazi to infiltrate boys among the Afghan security forces so they can get information and direct the attacks in a targeted manner.
The Government, who are put under pressure by activists who denounce this practice, approved the law that severely punishes the guilty and supports the death penalty in the most serious cases, such as the rape of children. "In the new Criminal Code there is a whole chapter that criminalizes the practice", said in a statement one of the councilors of the Afghan President. "The code should be put into practice this month, and will be a big step towards the end of this terrible practice", he added. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 07/03/2017)


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