KABUL - In an opinion-editorial published by the 8am newspaper today, Mark Bowden, the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, reflects on the Farkhunda case and considers the wider issue of women’s access to justice.

In the article, Mr. Bowden notes that just over a year ago, a young women was brutally beaten to death on the streets of Kabul.

“Mob justice had ripped through a crowd to kill an innocent woman,” wrote Mr. Bowden, who welcomes the Supreme Court’s latest ruling, following which additional convictions and tougher sentences look likely for those involved in the killing.

“My hope now from the tragedy of Farkhunda is that there will be more positive action and better protection for women. And that message and the resolve of the Government and the judicial systems will be heard loudly throughout Afghanistan,” wrote Mr. Bowden.

Download a PDF of the full op-ed.