2/24/2014 Afghanistan: Karzai Rejects Law Protecting Rapists and Abusers

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/afghanistan-karzai-rejects-law-protecting-rapists-abusers-1436951 1/3
TUESDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY, 2014
Human Rights
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Afghanistan: Karzai Rejects Law Protecting Rapists
and Abusers
By Ludovica Iaccino , February 18, 2014 15:57 PM GMT
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign the draft Criminal Procedure Code,
which would have denied justice to victims of rape, domestic violence and under-aged and
forced marriage, Amnesty reported.
The law, which was awaiting Karzai's signature, would have impeded relatives of victims of
domestic violence to testify in court.
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Presidential palace spokesperson Aimal Faizi, said in a statement on Twitter the cabinet had
decided that a new "Afghan criminal prosecution code won't come into force unless new
amendments are made".
Faizi also said that Karzai was "well aware" of the criticism and decided at a Cabinet meeting
Monday that the legislation must be changed.
"This law will not bar any relative or any family member to testify against each other or another
member of family," Faizi told The Associated Press. "It will be up to them. They will have the
freedom."
While the legislation awaited signature from Karzai, human rights organizations voiced strong
concerns as the law would effectively curb prosecutions involving violence against women,
where relatives are often the only witnesses.
"This is an important step against retrograde
legislation that would have let rapists and perpetrators
of domestic violence off the hook," said Horia
Mosadiq, Afghanistan Researcher at Amnesty
International.
"This draft code would have taken Afghanistan back
decades in terms of discrimination of women and girls
in the country. President Karzai has taken a crucial
step by refusing to sign the amended code. Meanwhile
he must ensure that victims of domestic violence, rape
and other crimes have a viable path to justice,
including by putting in place witness protection programmes."
"Government officials and members of parliament must steer clear of any proposed law that
undermines the human rights gains made by the Afghan people in recent years. This includes
not enacting laws that discriminate against women."
In addition to removing blocks on the prosecution of rapists and other abusers, Amnesty
International is calling on the Afghan authorities to take all necessary measures to fully and
effectively implement the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women law which aims to
eliminate all forms of abuses against women in the country.
The law criminalizes all actions imposed by force against women that cause harm or damage to
their body, mind, soul, reputation, or property.
The law has made great strides in recognizing a woman's human right to be protected from
violence and harmful practices, Amnesty said.
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