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Karzai Demands Review of 'Home Rape' Law

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 4, 2009 2:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Pressure from British and German leaders over legalized rape in Afghanistan has pushed President Hamid Karzai to order a review of a law governing Shiites, Reuters reports. Karzai said the Justice Ministry would scrutinize the Shiite Personal Status Law and send it back to parliament if necessary. But he said Western officials had misunderstood the law, which has been approved but not enacted.

British PM Gordon Brown said his country, which is poised to boost troop levels in Afghanistan ahead of elections there, could not support a law that violates human rights. “People will not accept that British soldiers are working” there, he said, “if the rights of women are not being properly upheld.” The Afghan law facing judicial review pertains to the 15% of Afghans who are Shiite.

Afghan women, wearing blue scarves that symbolizes justice, during a ceremony to mark the International Women's Day. (AP Photo)

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown today. (AP Photo)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai. (AP Photo)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during a news conference at presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo)

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Karzai Demands Review of 'Home Rape' Law

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Fox Pundit: No Surprise Women in Military Get Raped

And Liz Trotta is not happy with how much money we're spending on the issue

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Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

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He's at large, mom who aided him busted: cops

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France will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2013

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Two of the four servicemen have been identified

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Karzai Demands Review of 'Home Rape' Law

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • women's rights • Gordon Brown • Hamid Karzai • rape • domestic violence • sexual assault • Shiite Personal Status Law

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Fox Pundit: No Surprise Women in Military Get Raped

And Liz Trotta is not happy with how much money we're spending on the issue

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Man Strangles Wife for Having Girl

He's at large, mom who aided him busted: cops

Sarkozy Wants Out of Afghanistan Next Year

France will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2013

Panetta Calls Karzai Over Marines' Video

Two of the four servicemen have been identified

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?