Pakistan Delays Rape Reform Plans
I thought this was an interesting article about "secular" law versus Islamic law (Sharia), which is what many Middle Eastern countries currently abide by. This article also considers the trials that many women have to endure just to be heard by the government (although, they are not really heard, even in these cases-read below). Not only that, but the article states Pakistan has a weak judiciary; hence, there probably is no separation of powers (I will look more into the government there).
The Hudood Ordinance is the present rape law in Pakistan. It requires a woman to present four male witnesses to the crime; if not, she will be convicted of adultery herself. The article states that it is virtually impossible to actually proceed with rape charges because of the minimum requirements needed for prosecution.
The proposed law is planned to be placed within both Islamic and secular laws; however, it has already been weakened because of and changed to the wishes of many Muslim parties.
*Note: Originally written on September 13, 2006.
