British diplomat Rebecca Dykes found 'strangled' in Lebanon

[arista]

Sad news for her Family.

Was reported on Ch4HDnews and SkyNewsHD

[According to Ms Dykes' LinkedIn profile, she had been
working as a programme and policy manager for the
Department for International Development (DfID) on the UK government's Conflict,
Stability and Security Fund programme in Lebanon.]

[A forensic official in the country has told the Associated Press news agency
that Rebecca Dykes, who worked at the embassy in the capital Beirut,
was strangled with a rope.
The unnamed official added that authorities are investigating the
exact cause of her death and whether she was sexually assaulted.]

https://e3.365dm.com/17/12/750x563/skynews-rebecca-dykes-murdered-diplomat_4185398.jpg?bypass-service-worker&20171217171428

https://news.sky.com/story/death-of-british-diplomat-rebecca-dykes-in-lebanon-investigated-11175405

[Oliver_W]

Why do people even bother trying to help some places?

[Kizzy]

Why do people even bother trying to help some places?

What makes you think she was killed due to her role as a diplomat?

There are murderers in every country, get some perspective.

[smudgie]

Poor lass.
R.I.P.

[DemolitionRed]

Why do people even bother trying to help some places?

Lebanon didn't kill her. A murderer in Lebanon killed her and he was most likely an ISIS sympathizer.

As for, why do we bother trying to help some places... are you even aware that we, Great Britain train Lebanese soldiers to fight ISIS. We don't do this because we want to protect the Lebanese people, we do it because its in Britains interest to protect an area of the globe that borders along the Suez Canal.
Thanks to our support, Lebanon has ousted many hundreds of ISIS rebels.

[Smithy]

Lebanon didn't kill her. A murderer in Lebanon killed her and he was most likely an ISIS sympathizer.

As for, why do we bother trying to help some places... are you even aware that we, Great Britain train Lebanese soldiers to fight ISIS. We don't do this because we want to protect the Lebanese people, we do it because its in Britains interest to protect an area of the globe that borders along the Suez Canal.
Thanks to our support, Lebanon has ousted many hundreds of ISIS rebels.

:clap1::clap1:

[Brother Leon]

Sad news. R.I.P.


Lebanon didn't kill her. A murderer in Lebanon killed her and he was most likely an ISIS sympathizer.

As for, why do we bother trying to help some places... are you even aware that we, Great Britain train Lebanese soldiers to fight ISIS. We don't do this because we want to protect the Lebanese people, we do it because its in Britains interest to protect an area of the globe that borders along the Suez Canal.
Thanks to our support, Lebanon has ousted many hundreds of ISIS rebels.

True, but That would be down to Hezbollah if we are being truly honest :laugh:. Besides, training their soldiers doesn't mean much when we supported and funded the demolition of ththe I country at the hands of Israel back in 2006.

[Cherie]

It seems she may have been murdered by the taxi driver who took her home from a party she was attending, poor girl

[Nicky91]

RIP and can someone please take down ISIS for good

[DemolitionRed]

Sad news. R.I.P.

True, but That would be down to Hezbollah if we are being truly honest :laugh:. Besides, training their soldiers doesn't mean much when we supported and funded the demolition of ththe I country at the hands of Israel back in 2006.

You are correct, I'm in complete agreement and the entire thing honestly makes me sick to my stomach.

My point was to Oliver who seems to think we are there, risking our lives to protect the people of Lebanon.

[Livia]

You are correct, I'm in complete agreement and the entire thing honestly makes me sick to my stomach.

My point was to Oliver who seems to think we are there, risking our lives to protect the people of Lebanon.

This young women was in Lebanon, without doubt one of the most dangerous places in the world, working as programme and policy manager for the Department for International Development, helping to rebuild the country. So while I agree she wasn't "protecting" the people of Lebanon, she was there for their benefit. So I don't get this whole undercurrent of, she deserved it because we bombed them. People are always quick to bring up how we bombed them and glacially slow to mention how much money and knowhow we've handed over.

[Niamh.]

This young women was in Lebanon, without doubt one of the most dangerous places in the world, working as programme and policy manager for the Department for International Development, helping to rebuild the country. So while I agree she wasn't "protecting" the people of Lebanon, she was there for their benefit. So I don't get this whole undercurrent of, she deserved it because we bombed them. People are always quick to bring up how we bombed them and glacially slow to mention how much money and knowhow we've handed over.

I don't think anyone is implying that Livia

[Livia]

I don't think anyone is implying that Livia

I get that vibe, Niamh. This thread is about a young woman who was sexually and assaulted in a country where she was working - at risk to herself - for the good of Lebanon. But in more than one post people have referenced how we were responsible for the destruction of Lebanon, like that is somehow a reason for this young woman's death.

[DemolitionRed]

This young women was in Lebanon, without doubt one of the most dangerous places in the world, working as programme and policy manager for the Department for International Development, helping to rebuild the country. So while I agree she wasn't "protecting" the people of Lebanon, she was there for their benefit. So I don't get this whole undercurrent of, she deserved it because we bombed them. People are always quick to bring up how we bombed them and glacially slow to mention how much money and knowhow we've handed over.

What?

[Niamh.]

I get that vibe, Niamh. This thread is about a young woman who was sexually and assaulted in a country where she was working - at risk to herself - for the good of Lebanon. But in more than one post people have referenced how we were responsible for the destruction of Lebanon, like that is somehow a reason for this young woman's death.

tbf the very first post in the this thread was "why do people even bother trying to help in these countries" and everyone else then responded to that rather than the OP, the subject was changed from a young woman being assaulted and murdered to a more political topic which it shouldn't have been imo

RIP to the poor woman, I hope they get who ever did it :(

[DemolitionRed]

As it turns out, she was murdered by a taxi driver with no political motive.
She was just a young woman doing a difficult job in a country rife with corruption.

All of my thoughts are with her and her loved ones.

[Niamh.]

Looks like an Uber Driver has confessed


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/18/suspect-arrested-over-death-of-british-diplomat-rebecca-dykes-in-beirut

[Crimson Dynamo]

sounds like she put herself in a dangerous position sadly

[Eddie.]

she wanted to be a diplomat, but that's sad and depressing to hear...

[Niamh.]

sounds like she put herself in a dangerous position sadly

By getting an Uber home? Yeah lets shift some blame onto the victim :/

[bots]

Not wishing to be cold or anything, but young females get murdered every day in every city around the world. What makes this particular incident so special?

[Crimson Dynamo]

By getting an Uber home? Yeah lets shift some blame onto the victim :/

getting a random bloke in Lebanon to give a british woman a run home after she had been drinking at midnight or later?

sounds legit

:/

[Tom4784]

Yeah, she got a taxi so she was obviously asking to be killed.

:rolleyes:

[Niamh.]

atleast if you get an uber, the uber app has a record of which driver picked you up at what time from where etc, you don't get that with regular cabs

[Crimson Dynamo]

Yeah, she got a taxi so she was obviously asking to be killed.

:rolleyes:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lebanon/safety-and-security

"There have been incidents of armed robberies and physical attacks against passengers in shared taxis (known locally as service taxis) with passengers being attacked by either the driver or other passengers. Don’t use shared taxis or taxis hailed on the street. Only use taxis from recognised companies. Hotels can advise on firms with cars that are recognised as being safe and well maintained. "

"A senior Lebanese security source told the BBC the arrested man was 35 and has served several prison sentences"



so it sounds very much like she did not take a recommended and known taxi but just hailed a random (or possible that she was abducted).

Always go home with in 2s in places like that or in general if you are a vulnerable girl and its late. Stay safe and dont allow danger to find you.

[Smithy]

Uber is a recognised company?

I hope nothing ever happens to your daughter LT if this is the way you react to things that happen to women

[Nicky91]

Uber is a recognised company?

I hope nothing ever happens to your daughter LT if this is the way you react to things that happen to women

yes Uber is a officially recognised company, apparently


by who idk

[Crimson Dynamo]

Uber is a recognised company?

I hope nothing ever happens to your daughter LT if this is the way you react to things that happen to women

And they are employing career criminals? My daughter would not get in a taxi alone late at night in Scotland never mind in that god forsaken place.

We shall see if this Taxi service was recommended by the hotel and consulate or not...one hopes for their sake it was not

[Tom4784]

Wow LT, you're sure going hard on the victim blaming here, huh?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Wow LT, you're sure going hard on the victim blaming here, huh?

Nope just stating what everyone is thinking. Many predators around, dont make it easy for them.

[Tom4784]

Yes, silly her, she's only got herself to blame for being murdered because she got a taxi. You've blamed her more than I've seen you condemn the killer, LT.

[AnnieK]

Poor girl..thoughts to ger family

[bots]

Yes, silly her, she's only got herself to blame for being murdered because she got a taxi. You've blamed her more than I've seen you condemn the killer, LT.

perspective. It was the Lebanon, not london. There is a bigger risk of attack happening there than in the UK. So we can hardly compare a taxi ride in london with one in the lebanon either.

When one goes abroad, you have to take responsibility for your own security as best as you can. Its not saying its their own fault. Its understanding that the world is full of dangerous places that can't be compared to safer areas,

[Brother Leon]

I took Taxis everywhere when I was in Beirut. It's essentially the way to get around if you aren't driving as there isn't Buses/Trains etc. Anyone blaming her for doing that is being foolish. Yeah, it may have been back in 2013, but I felt safe throughout my stay there and considering she lived there then it's safe to say she felt the same. It's just a terrible incident that could happen anywhere.

[bots]

i've taken "approved" taxis in dodgy places. It doesn't mean they are safe. While someone can experience no issues while travelling, it doesn't mean others won't. You play a numbers game, and its best to be alert just in case. It's always tragic when life is taken away, and of course the blame lies entirely with the perpetrator, but it still doesn't make a dodgy place a safe place to be.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I took Taxis everywhere when I was in Beirut. It's essentially the way to get around if you aren't driving as there isn't Buses/Trains etc. Anyone blaming her for doing that is being foolish. Yeah, it may have been back in 2013, but I felt safe throughout my stay there and considering she lived there then it's safe to say she felt the same. It's just a terrible incident that could happen anywhere.

you are a man are you not?

[Crimson Dynamo]

i've taken "approved" taxis in dodgy places. It doesn't mean they are safe. While someone can experience no issues while travelling, it doesn't mean others won't. You play a numbers game, and its best to be alert just in case. It's always tragic when life is taken away, and of course the blame lies entirely with the perpetrator, but it still doesn't make a dodgy place a safe place to be.

any young woman taking a cab at or after midnight alone puts herself in jeopardy even in the UK but especially so in places such as that

[Niamh.]

I didn't realise men couldn't be murdered, silly me

[Crimson Dynamo]

I didn't realise men couldn't be murdered, silly me

what is silly is ignoring the elephant in the room..

[Niamh.]

what is silly is ignoring the elephant in the room..

What are you talking about? That she was raped? A man may be less likely to be raped but he could be robbed and murdered yet you think it's fine for men to not cower at home for fear of someone doing something to them. It feels like oppression to be quite honest. Women should stay home so they don't get raped

[Crimson Dynamo]

There is no legislation specifically outlawing sexual harassment in Lebanon

Only this year the parliament in Lebanon voted to abolish an article in the penal code exempting rapists from punishment if they marry their victims.

"Women in the country frequently complain about unwanted comments from men as they walk down the street, men masturbating next to them on buses or in cabs and even physical assaults."

https://stepfeed.com/lebanon-says-mesh-basita-to-sexual-harassment-7470



Dont need to cower at home but do need NOT to go home alone after a night out. Basic precautions.

[Niamh.]

There is no legislation specifically outlawing sexual harassment in Lebanon

Only this year the parliament in Lebanon voted to abolish an article in the penal code exempting rapists from punishment if they marry their victims.

"Women in the country frequently complain about unwanted comments from men as they walk down the street, men masturbating next to them on buses or in cabs and even physical assaults."

https://stepfeed.com/lebanon-says-mesh-basita-to-sexual-harassment-7470



Dont need to cower at home but do need NOT to go home alone after a night out. Basic precautions.

But men are fine because there's no way they could be mugged or assaulted or kidnapped for ransom (especially as a British diplomat because apparently that happens there mostly with businessmen).... Men never get assaulted, not common at all, no sir-ee, oh but that isn't the issue though is it? Men will never cower away because they're men but women should, got it.

[Crimson Dynamo]

But men are fine because there's no way they could be mugged or assaulted or kidnapped for ransom (especially as a British diplomat because apparently that happens there mostly with businessmen).... Men never get assaulted, not common at all, no sir-ee, oh but that isn't the issue though is it? Men will never cower away because they're men but women should, got it.

Well if I was talking about men but I am not I am talking about young women.

if you wish to make a thread about young men in Lebanon feel free to do so.

[Niamh.]

Well if I was talking about men but I am not I am talking about young women.

if you wish to make a thread about young men in Lebanon feel free to do so.

Are you telling me what I can and can't post now? how about no. This is perfectly on topic, how dare you try and take some blame off the guy who actually murdered this girl and how dare you try to use it as a way to tell women they shouldn't do things on their own or else it's their own fault if something happens to them. If it were a man who was the victim here, I bet this topic of him being on his own would never have arisen.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Are you telling me what I can and can't post now? how about no. This is perfectly on topic, how dare you try and take some blame off the guy who actually murdered this girl and how dare you try to use it as a way to tell women they shouldn't do things on their own or else it's their own fault if something happens to them. If it were a man who was the victim here, I bet this topic of him being on his own would never have arisen.

I am telling you despite your best efforts to deny that the women put herself in danger I am not talking about men nor am i telling women to stay at home. You cannot "win" an argument by just using the most extreme example every time

So the murderer is not to blame eh

So women must stay at home

So men dont get murdered


er no - in mo0st cases you seem to be telling me what I am saying - please desist

[Shaun]

Just call it quits, LT.

[Niamh.]

I am telling you despite your best efforts to deny that the women put herself in danger I am not talking about men nor am i telling women to stay at home. You cannot "win" an argument by just using the most extreme example every time

So the murderer is not to blame eh

So women must stay at home

So men dont get murdered


er no - in mo0st cases you seem to be telling me what I am saying - please desist

I'm not trying to win an argument, there is no winner in this argument. I'm telling you I find your views really really distasteful and sexist. And I'm going to leave it there because you are actually really winding me up and I'm not going to let you continue to do that.

[Tom4784]

At this point, LT is just looking for a reaction. Probably just best to not rise to the bait.

[Kizzy]

This young women was in Lebanon, without doubt one of the most dangerous places in the world, working as programme and policy manager for the Department for International Development, helping to rebuild the country. So while I agree she wasn't "protecting" the people of Lebanon, she was there for their benefit. So I don't get this whole undercurrent of, she deserved it because we bombed them. People are always quick to bring up how we bombed them and glacially slow to mention how much money and knowhow we've handed over.

Trust you to bring international aid into a discussion about a murdered Brit abroad.

[Smithy]

Honestly don’t understand why people like LT are even allowed to post in SD&N when all his posts are just total flamebait, victim blaming bollocks

[Nicky91]

Honestly don’t understand why people like LT are even allowed to post in SD&N when all his posts are just total flamebait, victim blaming bollocks

:clap1: :clap1: :clap1:

i absolutely agree with you

[Crimson Dynamo]

Honestly don’t understand why people like LT are even allowed to post in SD&N when all his posts are just total flamebait, victim blaming bollocks

:clap1: :clap1: :clap1:

i absolutely agree with you

2 peas in a pod

:skull:

[Brother Leon]

you are a man are you not?

Point being? I could easily have been mugged as a tourist etc. Should she blamed then for being a woman?

Your victim blaming is embarrassing.

[bots]

Point being? I could easily have been mugged as a tourist etc. Should she blamed then for being a woman?

Your victim blaming is embarrassing.

i think its quite unfair to say that LT is victim blaming.

At some point people have to be responsible for their own actions. If you are in a position where you could be vulnerable, you protect yourself as best you can. Its not her fault, and I would never blame her for the incident, but personal safety does require thought and action by each and every one of us. We cannot just assume someone else will look out for us.

If you are out on a motor cycle without a helmet and a car crashes into you, you blame the driver of the car, but you could have improved your chances of avoiding serious injury if you had worn a helmet.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Point being? I could easily have been mugged as a tourist etc. Should she blamed then for being a woman?

Your victim blaming is embarrassing.

You were not mugged and she wasnt either. If you have a point to make make it and leave the school ground stuff for chat and games.

[Crimson Dynamo]

i think its quite unfair to say that LT is victim blaming.

At some point people have to be responsible for their own actions. If you are in a position where you could be vulnerable, you protect yourself as best you can. Its not her fault, and I would never blame her for the incident, but personal safety does require thought and action by each and every one of us. We cannot just assume someone else will look out for us.

If you are out on a motor cycle without a helmet and a car crashes into you, you blame the driver of the car, but you could have improved your chances of avoiding serious injury if you had worn a helmet.

Indeed, hindsight is a grand thing of course but taking sensible precautions limits the opportunist.

What is ironic is the same people falling over themselves to shout "victim-blaming" are the same ones who decry the McCanns and have not once blamed the person who abducted Madeleine.

:idc:


plus ca change

[Cherie]

If this was an Uber, we need to know what the company is doing about vetting its drivers and doing checks, this seems to be a recurrent theme? not sure if that will be classed as company blaming :skull:

[Cherie]

Honestly don’t understand why people like LT are even allowed to post in SD&N when all his posts are just total flamebait, victim blaming bollocks

it's called freedom of speech, and he doesn't appear to be breaching forum rules like you have on this post :idc:

[Crimson Dynamo]

If this was an Uber, we need to know what the company is doing about vetting its drivers and doing checks, this seems to be a recurrent theme? not sure if that will be classed as company blaming :skull:

Just heard on the news that the Euro courts have decided they are a transport company (cab firm) and not a digital service.

and guess what, as a digital service (what they wanted) they would not have to provide all the proper security checks a cab firm has to..

vile money grabbing scumbags

[smudgie]

Just heard on the news that the Euro courts have decided they are a transport company (cab firm) and not a digital service.

and guess what, as a digital service (what they wanted) they would not have to provide all the proper security checks a cab firm has to..

vile money grabbing scumbags

Maybe more councils will stop their licenses, York have now banned them.

[Niamh.]

Indeed, hindsight is a grand thing of course but taking sensible precautions limits the opportunist.

What is ironic is the same people falling over themselves to shout "victim-blaming" are the same ones who decry the McCanns and have not once blamed the person who abducted Madeleine.

:idc:


plus ca change

Difference being Maddie was the victim not her parents. No one has ever blamed Maddie ....the victim. Also, most people believe that there was no abduction because the only physical proof in that case point towards her parents........

[Cherie]

Just heard on the news that the Euro courts have decided they are a transport company (cab firm) and not a digital service.

and guess what, as a digital service (what they wanted) they would not have to provide all the proper security checks a cab firm has to..

vile money grabbing scumbags

Yes I heard that as well, it is good news, already there are challenges to this already, and that new rules should be changed for companies like Uber, so profit before personal safety seems to be what they are interested in.