Karzai 'Rape Law' Draws International Fire

The Afghan law signed by President Karzai last month -- that essentially legalizes the rape of Shia women within marriage -- is drawing wide criticism from governments around the world who have contributed troops to the fight against the Taliban. One such example is Canada, who is describing the Afghan law as "unacceptable." According to the Canadian Press:

Defence Minister Peter MacKay said he will use this week's NATO summit to put "direct" pressure on his Afghan counterparts to abandon the legislation.

"That's unacceptable -- period," he said Wednesday. "We're fighting for values that include equality and women's rights. This sort of legislation won't fly."

...

Canada has lost 116 soldiers and spent up to $10-billion fighting to support the Karzai government.

Canadian officials have contacted Mr. Karzai's office and also raised their concerns with senior Afghan cabinet ministers. They say it's not yet clear what's in the law, but they're trying to find out.

As the Canada Press notes, the full details of the law remain unrevealed, and Karzai has yet to make any public statement on the matter. However, the issue has caused a stir in Afghanistan. From the BBC:

Defenders of the law say it is an improvement on the customary laws which normally decide family matters. But critics like Member of Parliament Fawzia Koofi have accused the president of playing for votes.

"We have elections coming up in the summer and President Karzai's dependency on these fundamentalist groups is growing - and also he wants to have the support of the extremist Shia groups."

A separate family law for the Sunni majority is now also being drawn up. Activists fear that this too might be used to roll back Afghan women's hard-won freedoms.

Comments

[RIXX]

I don't like certain laws in US..., CHANGE IT!!
Would you?

What laws will be made in Afghanistan is Afghan people's problem. Their land, their people, their beliefs, their religion, their values....

They have no obligations to go according to your beliefs and definition of Marriage, rape and human rights. Your boys are dying for your cause and your imperialism. Get your OBL if you can and go!

[AntigoneRisen]

Let's call a spade a spade. A woman has no right to refuse sex with her husband. This isn't a one-time thing, it is perpetual. It isn't legalized rape. It is legalized sexual slavery. No, that is not acceptable.

[RIXX]

Let's call a spade a spade.

Put your laws and ambition within your boundaries....no dictation around the world.

[CaptD]

It's time for this country to join the 21 Century or we stop handing out cash and start sending in food only!

[RIXX]

Oh!

So when America was not on the map this Afghanistan was not there either???

[CharleyCat]

Why isn't this story being covered at all by the American media?

[WorkingClass]

This is further proof the United States is falling behind. We cant even legalize pot.

[RIXX]

US is ought to fail there!

[Fireslayer]

Well, what a fine mess you've gotten us into now, Ollie.

[RoseMerry]

So now U.S. blood has been and will be shed as well as the blood of both the wicked and the innocent to protect the rights of Afghani heroin producers to rape as many wives as they can afford.

A new low.

Forget it. Game over. Let it be DONE right NOW!

Bring them home.

Will THIS President need to face a war crimes court as well?

[RIXX]

"That's unacceptable -- period,"

huh?....Who you are to dictate?

[RoseMerry]

We are not dictating. We are expressing our outrage. We vote. We only get one each.

I pray someday we have an honest count. In the meantime, all we have is our voice.

This IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!!!!

[RIXX]

Afghans are the one to decide what law to be made in their country!

Again!....Who YOU are to dictate????

[roshni]

Disgraceful. We should not be supporting this government.

[RIXX]

Are you still in the illusion that you are somehow "supporting" this country??

[Paulo1]

Of course it is unacceptable.

That does not mean it is not understandable. Karzai either caters to his medieval peoples desire to live in a repressive Islamic theocracy or he does not survive. He is already little more than a puppet confined to Kabul and listened to only when handing out American cash. This is simply an attempt to gain relevance.

[mayfly0]

I am with you . It is understandable. It has been so since the Russain occupation and the rise of the Taliban. You cannot change a feudal society over night, it takes alng time too progress.

[DawnK]

One way to start is by making laws that apply to the whole country, not just certain tribal groups. If Karzai wasn't a politician he may feel differently and if that is the case than be a man, be a leader and do what is right or end up a George W. Bush.

[Tagrid]

True, as horrible as this sounds to US, is trying. But he's also leaving next month, so why not ram thru some real change?

What would be interesting is a real explanation and analysis of in what ways (as the article above says) this new law is an improvement over current laws. No Sha'aria Law says rape is ok, at any time, of any person, whether Shi'a or Sunni.