Young Activist Starts Petition To Save Sudanese Teen Who Killed Her Rapist

 

Noura Hussein was sentenced to death for killing the man she says raped her. Now 16-year-old Zaynub Afinnih is petitioning to save her life — and she’s already gathered more than 1 million signatures.

The Sudanese court found 19-year-old Hussein guilty of premeditated murder for killing her husband who she said raped her after she was forced to marry him. The verdict sparked international outcry and the social campaign #JusticeForNoura was created.
Zaynub started a change.org petition, asking the Sudanese government not to execute Hussein and is aiming to get 1.5 million signatures in support.

“I don’t know her…I’ve never spoken to her. But she is my sister in humanity. I can’t let her die for defending herself against the man who raped her,” she stated to CNN.

One in three girls in Sudan are married before then turn 18. Hussein’s family reportedly arranged her marriage when she was only 16. She ran away, but was returned to her husband three years later. He allegedly had his family hold her down while he raped her and when he attempted to assault her again, Hussein stabbed him to death.

Amnesty International and the United Nations are also appealing to the Sudanese government to pardon Hussein.

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