And it doesn't just legalize the rape of married women. It goes much further in oppressing women.
Afghanistan President signs law to 'legalise' rape
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Afghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai, has signed a law which "legalises" rape, women's groups and the United Nations warn. Critics claim the president helped rush the bill through parliament in a bid to appease Islamic fundamentalists ahead of elections in August.
In a massive blow for women's rights, the new Shia Family Law negates the need for sexual consent between married couples, tacitly approves child marriage and restricts a woman's right to leave the home, according to UN papers seen by The Independent.
"It is one of the worst bills passed by the parliament this century," fumed Shinkai Karokhail, a woman MP who campaigned against the legislation. "It is totally against women's rights. This law makes women more vulnerable."
The law regulates personal matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance and sexual relations among Afghanistan's minority Shia community. "It's about votes," Ms Karokhail added. "Karzai is in a hurry to appease the Shia because the elections are on the way."
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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/...
The Administration needs to speak out against this horrendous law, and Hamid's role in pushing it through.
I'm personally opposed to our build up in Afghanistan, but this hardens my sentiments. Karzai is both corrupt and power mad. Afghanistan is devolving, and has been for years. There are no happy endings that I can see for Afghanistan, just tragedy for its citizens, and particularly for women.
The irony of fighting in Afghanistan to keep the country out of the hands of radical fundamentalists, when the radical fundies are doing just fine pushing their despicable agenda through Karzai, is just too much.