President Hamid Karzai has approved a wide-ranging family law for the country's Shia minority.
This Legislation has sparked ourage and anger world wide. Leaders like our Prime Minister and leaders of other NATO countries have spoken of their outrage at such a piece of legislation from the Afghan parliament. This law if fully passed by the Afghan Government will set women's rights back worse than they were under the taliban.
Sally Armstrong a well versed and courageous Human rights advocate said on CTV newsnet that this is legalising Marital Rape.
SALLY ARMSTRONG Human Rights Activist, Film Maker Author Sally Armstrong is an Amnesty International award winner, a member of the Order of Canada, documentary filmmaker, teacher, author, human rights activist and contributing editor at Macleans magazine.
Everyone knows that Canadas military is in Afghanistan, but what they dont know is how much the average Canadian is contributing to aid efforts in that country. In Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots, respected journalist Sally Armstrong revisits Afghanistan to compare womens lives pre- and post-Taliban, interviewing Afghan and Western women who are dedicated to improving health, education, culture, religion, and human rights. Armstrong connects these stories with the analysis of experts and considers the grassroots efforts of Canadians and the dedicated tax dollars being spent by the Canadian government. Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots is a moving portrayal of the lives of women and girls in Afghanistan in 2008.
Sally says that the idea of women in Afghanistan returning to such ways after so much progress is a major setback. Women in Afghanistan, thanks to Canada's funding of the education system and other areas of life such as the Judiciary. Women now attend schools, work as lawyers and judicial advocats. The womens movement of Afghanistan was formed under the protection of NATO soldiers.
To witness the cruel rule of the shia law is not what Canadians are fighting for! Allowing women to be treated like a piece of property is this what we're fighting for? Is this what our people are dying for in Afghanistan? no it certainly is not. Sally said it is impossible to have one rule of law for 90% of the population and a different law for the remaining 10%. Under Muslim Law all factions should be treated equally.This is a CHEAP piece of electioneering on Kharzai's part. Canada gave 5 million dollars for the reformation of family laws.This law is in direct opposition as what the funds were for. I ask this of Canadian Women who may not have been to Muslim countries..Would you like to be controlled by the men in your family. Under this law Shia women may not leave their home without permission from husband, father or brother. They may not go to a doctors appointment without the same permissions. I doubt any Canadian woman would agree with this.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday that Canada remains committed to its mission in Afghanistan, but he voiced strong concerns about new Afghan legislation that would limit women's rights in that country.
This is antithetical to our mission in Afghanistan, Harper said in an interview with CBC News.
The new Afghan family law would reportedly make it illegal for Shia women to refuse their husbands sex, leave the house without their permission or have custody of children.
We're deeply troubled by it. And I don't think we're by any means alone, the prime minister said during an interview in London ahead of the G20 talks that begin on Thursday.
Making progress on human rights for women is a significant component of the international engagement in Afghanistan. It's a significant change we want to see from the bad old days of the Taliban, he said.
I think President [Hamid] Karzai and those other actors who may be supporting this policy will find themselves under considerable pressure, Harper said.
Karzai's office has so far refused to comment on the legislation, which has been criticized by some Afghan parliamentarians and a UN women's agency but has not yet been published. Harper noted that Canada was reluctant to get drawn into any Afghan electoral politics, but said: The concept that women are full human beings with human rights is very, very central to the reason the international community is engaged in this country.
Earlier in the day, Harper told Britain's Sky TV that Canadian forces have borne a significant burden in the region.
Canada has had, per capita, by far the highest casualties in Afghanistan, he said. We are in Kandahar, [which is,] next to Helmand, the most difficult province in the country.
The concept that women are full human beings with human rights is very, very central to the reason the international community is engaged in this country. . .
It's a significant change we want to see from the bad, old days of the Taliban.
Canada has lost 116 soldiers and spent up to $10 billion to support the government of President Hamid Karzai. Several members of Harper's cabinet voiced similar outrage, as did opposition politicians and one military family.
My son gave his life up for all these causes and to have President Karzai's government bring in a law like that, that's insulting, said Jim Davis of Nova Scotia, whose son, Cpl. Paul Davis, was killed in Afghanistan in 2006.
However, he agreed Canada must continue working to modernize the country.
As the politicians try to resolve this problem. Please continue to support our troops. RED RALLY in Charlottetown at noon Friday 3 April in the DVA Atrium
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
