Pakistan votes to amend rape laws

international | gender and sexuality | other press Wednesday November 15, 2006 16:16 by pat c

In spite of Islamic opposition some progress has taken place in Pakistan where at least rape victims will no longer be tried under Islamic "Law" and have to prove their innocence. Up until now victims had to have four male witnesses to the crime - if not they faced prosecution for adultery.

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pat c

Pakistan votes to amend rape laws

Pakistan's national assembly has voted to amend the country's strict Sharia laws on rape and adultery. Until now rape cases were dealt with in Sharia courts. Victims had to have four male witnesses to the crime - if not they faced prosecution for adultery.

Now civil courts will be able to try rape cases, assuming the upper house and the president ratify the move. The reform has been seen as a test of President Musharraf's stated commitment to a moderate form of Islam.

Addressing parliament on Wednesday, the leader of the six-party MMA Islamic alliance, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, said the bill would "turn Pakistan into a free-sex zone".