Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Potential Rape Law Reform in Pakistan Causes a Stir

Here's a heart-warming story of blind nationalism and religious fanatacism *barfs*

Currently, Pakastani law requires testimony from four witnesses to prove a rape case. How often are there four witnesses to a rape (four people raping the same woman doesn't count)? Women who can't prove they were raped are considered guilty of adultery, which is punishable by death. President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's party introduced a bill to change this law by doing away with the 4-witness requirement. Members of Pakistan's National Assembly threaten to walk out if the law is changed. "We will render every sacrifice for the protection of the Shariah (traditional Islamic) laws," Islamic coalition leader Maulana Fazalur Rahman said Tuesday.

UPDATE 9/13/06

"Pakistan rape reform fails after Musharraf caves in"

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like I said, "Sexism is fine as long as we call it religion." I'm just glad the Pakistan Muslim Party has the majority and is backing this; it definitely needs to pass.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how leaders let the security of their position in government rely on the appeasement of extremists. Bush gathers support of the heterosexists, racists, and misogynists of America's "heartland" for his approval ratings to creep up a percent or two by rehashing "marriage protection," immigration reform, and "right to life" issues, and Musharraf hides in the corner when sexist lawmakers threaten to bail on him. Why does a president want the support of people who obviously don't want to better their country?