Malaysia gov't report: Loggers raped Borneo girls

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Indigenous tribal girls have been sexually abused by loggers in remote jungles on Borneo island, a Malaysian government report said, in the first official verification of rape accusations involving timber companies.

The report made public this week bolsters claims by the Penan tribal community of mistreatment by the timber industry, which activists say has encroached on the customary rights of ancient tribes over forests and destroyed their ancestral lands.

A team from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry investigated rape claims by Penan women in November after activists complained that police failed to do anything.

Timber industry officials have said in the past they were not aware of such misconduct by their workers. No company was singled out in the report and timber company officials reached Wednesday declined to comment. All of the companies are Malaysian, as are the accused workers.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hTQYy7Ptpf4a_uNSsJdhLqXFB3dgD9AJQC402

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The rape of indigenous peoples is often literal.

Sad story.

[ixion]

1. People are so screwed up...

very sad, indeed. :(