under pressure...

so it seems as if afghanistan, under immense international condemnation and criticism, has decided to modify the controversial personal status law that targeted shia women (20% of populationis shia).

As stated in an earlier post, this proposed law essentially legalized marital rape and required women to gain permission to leave the house. The good news: after forced reflection, afghanistan reconsidered the articles in the bill that allowed this. The bad news: firstly, karzai and others in the government were unaware this provision in the bill existed. secondly, it took enormous international pressure to create this change.

ultimately something good was accomplished by changing a law that would have limited the rights of shia women. however, the fact it was done under pressure and prominent members of the government were unaware of the provisions leads many to conclude that the afghan government is, at best, inadequately connected and the multiple factions competing for control are creating an atmosphere that is far from conducive to progressive reform and change for the better.

afghanistan changes law

not the pirates with eyepatches and parrots...

Somali pirates. can't miss them in the news these days. if you somehow have, the long and short of it is that pirates hijack vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian ocean, take them to areas offshore Somalia, and hold the crew,cargo, and vessel hostage in exchange for a ransom. It is certainly indisputable that the actions of these individuals is illegal and wrong. However, let's think bigger picture...
Why are people in Somalia resorting to these acts?
Why Somalia?
How come there has been little international reaction or intervention?
How come the United States had been silent on the issue until one of its own vessels with American crew was captured?
What should be done now?
What does it say about our media that we shifted from a mere mention of piracy in the past to 24 hour coverage when it involves Americans?
What do we do about all this?
Is it our problem or someone else's?

Wikipedia entry about Somali Piracy for background knowledge

Map of Somalia Pirate Attacks since December 2007

Think about all sides involved in the issue, not this the victims. Comment respectfully...

Reaping what you sow

In 2001 the United States entered Afghanistan under the pretense of removing the Taliban from power to prevent the continued use of the country as a safe haven for terrorists, most notably, al-qaeda. Since then, a number of attempts have been made to improve life in the country, especially for women.

Undoubtedly, life has improved since the Taliban rule. However, some of the below information calls into question whether or not life has improved enough. With all of the criticism being aimed at Afghanistan from the international community, the questions becomes :

This is Democracy in action so are we hypocritical in condemning the actions of democratically elected legislators? Did Afghanistan receive what it asked for? Did the United States get what it asked for in liberating Afghanistan? Is it our business? If not, who's business is it? Is this acceptable? If not, what do we do? This is serious, think on it...

Education for Women in Afghanistan
In 2007, 236 schools teaching girls were burned down. In 2008, there were attacks on 256 schools that left 58 dead. Teachers have been killed in front of students and schoolgirls attacked with acid. Honor killings are up, burqas are back in many places. A 75-year-old woman was nailed to a tree and killed, and an Afghan member of parliament had her daughter legally taken away by a husband after he married a second wife.

Please read the following article from The Guardian about the new Personal Status Law enacted by the legislature of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Legal Status Law Article

Here is another news article about the law carried by Reuters.

Legal Status Law Article 2

When posting comments, please be respectful but feel free to voice your opinion.