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Controversial women's law to be reviewed in Afghanistan

Responding to criticism from around the world, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Saturday a new law that critics say makes it legal for men to rape their wives will be studied and possibly sent back to parliament for review.

  • AP
  • Published: 13:58 April 4, 2009
  • Gulf News

Kabul: Responding to criticism from around the world, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Saturday a new law that critics say makes it legal for men to rape their wives will be studied and possibly sent back to parliament for review.

Karzai said he ordered the Justice Ministry to review the law, and if anything in it contravenes the country's constitution or Shariah law, "measures will be taken."

The law, signed by Karzai last month, is intended to regulate family life inside Afghanistan's Shiite community, which makes up 10 per cent to 20 per cent of the country's 30 million people.

But the United Nations Development Fund for Women has said the law "legalises the rape of a wife by her husband."

The United States has urged Karzai to review the law, and Karzai said he has spoken with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about it. Canadian officials have also criticised the law.

One of the law's most controversial articles legislates the frequency of sexual relations between Shiite husbands and wives. Article 132 says the husband has a right to sex every fourth night unless the wife is ill.

Karzai did not mention Article 132 during a news conference on Saturday. But he said he had studied the law earlier in the day and that "I don't see any problems with it."


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