Afghan Woman Mocks 'Men' Who Stood By Amid Assault

The attack was brutal—a mob of men in Kabul beat and burned to death a 27-year-old mentally ill woman accused of burning pages of the Koran. No actual evidence existed she did so, only a fast-spreading rumor, but it didn't seem to matter, and police were unable to save her. Nine men have been arrested in the attack, and the UN has condemned the brutality, reports CNN. But a New York Times account of the incident has a more powerful condemnation than the UN statement. It came from a young woman who confronted men at the scene yesterday, one day after the attack:

• '"You are all men, and you say you are the protectors of women,' she said loudly. With tears streaming down her face and holding a bright handbag of pink, green and blue, she continued: 'But you let her die in a brutal way! You’re not better than animals.'”

The Times says she challenged the men to do the same to her as they did to the victim identified as Farkhunda. “Come on and hit me! Blame me for burning the Koran.” After she yelled, "Why don't you answer me," police arrived to escort her away. (More Afghanistan stories.)