Taleban-Style Law For Women in Afghanistan is Dropped After Outcry

[tekisui]

Source: Times Online

A controversial law condoning marital rape and reintroducing Taleban-era rules for Afghan women has been shelved after an outcry in the West.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry said that the law had not been enacted, while Justice Ministry officials said that its contents might be reconsidered. The legislation was put on hold pending a review.

“The Justice Ministry is reviewing the law to make sure it is in line with the Afghan Government’s commitment to human rights and women rights conventions,” Sultan Ahmad Baheen, a spokesman for the ministry in Kabul, said.

The British Government expressed alarm at the law, which applies to the 15 per cent of the Afghan population that is Shia Muslim. President Obama called the law “abhorrent” at the Nato summit in Strasbourg last week.

The Afghan Government is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines equality in dignity and rights regardless of religion or sex. Article 22 of the Afghan Constitution also explicitly reiterates the equality of men and women before the law.

more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6047263.ece

[babylonsister]

1. Rec'd. Great news! nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. Let the same outcry ring out about ALL sexist, racist, hateful stupid laws around the world

Let's get rid of all the hateful laws.

[Adelante]

3. I'm surprised and glad

Thank you.

[rockymountaindem]

4. Great!

[sufrommich]

5. Let's keep up the pressure.

Or arm the women, either will do.

[JerseygirlCT]

6. Well, that's good news. Let's hope it lasts, though! nt

[Vidar]

7. At least there's a little good news.