AFGHANISTAN: Misery for female and children prisoners

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/af1c6fdf5726eaaa4a1dd26daa4773fa.htm

MAZAR-E SHARIF, 1 May (IRIN) - Lailoma, 10, has been living in squalid conditions with her imprisoned mother in a provincial jail in Mazar-e Sharif, capital of the northern Afghan province of Balkh, for years. "I cannot live without my mother, brothers and sister who have been here with me for a long time," grinned Lailoma.

Nisar Ahmad, 8, Lailoma's brother, has no idea about life outside the prison as he has been living in a poorly ventilated, dark room with a tiny window and small yard most of his life. "How can I go outside when the door is always locked and my mother is here?" he asked.

Although Lailoma and Nisar Ahmad have not been charged with any crime, they have become prisoners along with their mother, 35-year-old Tordai, charged with the killing of her husband. With nowhere to go, they stay with their convicted mother - the only parent - in the dilapidated facility.

"My four children have been living with me here in jail for nearly five years. This has become another headache for my miserable life with daily quarrelling and arguing," said the emaciated mother, sitting on a small plastic sheet in her prison cell. snip

Shafiqa, 20, another female inmate, charged with adultery, complained about poor conditions in the detention facility. "There are no doctors, no medicine and not enough food to eat for us here," she said. The young women escaped from home two years ago after she was married to a man against her will.

I think we should invade. Oh, we already did that. Never mind.