Karzai: Controversial women's law to be reviewed

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Responding to criticism from around the world, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Saturday that 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 United Nations Development Fund for Women has said the law "legalizes 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 Rodham Clinton about it. Canadian officials have also criticized the legislation.