Xiancai's story

Fu Xiancai was fighting for the rights of the people who were affected by the Three Gorges dam in China.

The said dam is the world's largest hydro-electric project. Unfortunately, more than a million people have ben displaced from their homes. Many farmers were relocated on inferior land. Others were not adequately compensated. These are the people whom Xiancai were speaking out for.

Unortunately, his act has resulted in a big price on him. According to Human Rights in China, Xiancai had been subject to a series of threats, attacks and harassment in the past year. The Zigui County Public Security Bureau (PSB) are purportedly involved in the harrasment.

It did not stop there. On June 8, Xiancai was summonned to answer some questions posed by the PSB. On his way home, he was beaten up severely. A blow to the back of his neck broke his spine and left him paralysed.

The subsequent investigations on the assult was conducted by none other than the Zigui County PSB!!!!!!!!

The official investigation has recently completed and the conclusion held was that the injuries sufferred by Xiancai was self-inflicted! Yes, he beat himself up until he was paralysed.

Xiancai can appeal against the outcome of the investigation. But he has been told not to.

Source: BBC News Online; Human Rights in China

Samaira's story

Samaira Nazir got to know Salman Mohammed in 2000. He came over to the UK from Afghanistan and he bacame a family friend.

Soon friendship developed into something more. But they had to keep their feelings for each other a secret as Samaira's family would not approve of it. They would want her to marry someone who is a Pakistani, just like they are.

But the secret could only be kept for so long. Samaira and Salman decided to come clean. As expected, her family reacted angrily. Her mother refused to talk to her about it. When Samaira returned home one day, she was attacked by her brother. She tried to flee but was forced back into her house by her own flesh and blood.

Samaira was found dead subsequently. She was stabbed 18 times. She was murdered by her own brother.

As the prosecutor for the case said, she lost her life for loving the wrong man.

Honour killings like these still exist in today.

p/s - her brother had been found guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Source: BBC News Online - read report here.