ABHA — The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has asked concerned authorities in Asir province to ensure the safety of nine-year-old Asma, who was hospitalized with fractured ribs. Asma's father allegedly beat her and fractured her ribs. The man has also been accused of beating her brother Mohammad to death. Dr. Hadi Al-Yami, general supervisor of HRC in Asir, said the commission has asked for assurances for the safety of the child after the Asir Health Affairs Directorate reported that the child was handed back to her father. In its report to the concerned authorities, the HRC has asked for a full investigation into the incident. The report was in response to a complaint submitted by the girl's mother, who suspected foul play in the death of her son. Al-Yami said investigations are still under way and Asir Emir Prince Faisal Bin Khalid is following up the case. The children's uncle said he had submitted a complaint to the Emir asking for Shariah law to be applied on the father. The uncle said his older brother had mediated with the father to allow the children to return to their mother. He added the father had asked for the release of his son's body for burial, but the Asir governorate decided that more investigations were required, and have instructed Uhud Rufaida Hospital not to release the body. Spokesman for Asir Health Affairs Saeed Al-Neqair said when Asma was admitted to the hospital, doctors discovered that she was subjected to severe beatings. After her condition has stabilized, Asma said she was beaten up and the hospital notified the concerned authorities. The father had handed the hospital a letter from the police instructing it to hand over Asma to him despite objections from hospital officials. The hospital has sent a letter to the Khamis Mushayt governor, with a copy to the region's police director and to the manager of the social protection house, seeking an investigation into the case and protection for the child from further violence.
