Rights group says proposed Afghan law protects women's abusers
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 February 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Rights group says proposed Afghan law protects women's abusers, 4 February 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5331450014.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 04, 2014
By RFE/RL
Two burqa-clad Afghan women walk on the outskirts of Herat.
An international rights group says Afghan President Hamid Karzai should not sign a law passed by parliament that would deny women protection from domestic violence and forced marriage.
The parliament passed a "criminal procedure law" last year that experts say contains articles that deny women legal protections.
New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Karzai to send the bill back to legislators with amendments.
HRW said the proposed legislation would run counter to a groundbreaking law on Elimination of Violence Against Women passed in 2009, and "follows several other efforts by the Afghan parliament to weaken already inadequate legal protections for women's rights."
Afghanistan's parliament is dominated by conservative clerics and former warlords.
A Karzai spokesman said he could not comment on the president's intentions.
With reporting by AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
