Iraqi Constitution Draft Includes Curbs to Women's Rights -NYT

[Rose Siding]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 19 - A working draft of Iraq's new constitution would cede a strong role to Islamic law and could sharply curb women's rights, particularly in personal matters like divorce and family inheritance.

The document's writers are also debating whether to drop or phase out a measure enshrined in the interim constitution, co-written last year by the Americans, requiring that women make up at least a quarter of the parliament.

The draft of a chapter of the new constitution obtained by The New York Times on Tuesday guarantees equal rights for women as long as those rights do not "violate Shariah," or Koranic law.
...
Article 14 would replace a body of Iraqi law that has for decades been considered one of the most progressive in the Middle East in protecting the rights of women, giving them the freedom to choose a husband and requiring divorce cases to be decided by a judge.

http://nytimes.com/2005/07/20/international/middleeast/20women.html?hp&ex=1121832000&en=09d840d1e4d06041&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[NYC Liberal]

1. We're about to see some "curbs in women's rights" here at home

If Shrub gets his way with his SCOTUS nominee

[xxqqqzme]

2. so much for bringing democracy to over 1/2

of the Iraqi population.

[barb162]

3. Why doesn't this surprise me. Disgusting.

Oh, Equal rights if they don't violate sharia. As soon as Sharia gets mentioned, women can kiss all their rights GOODBYE. Get out your burkas, women of Iraq.

[Emendator]

9. Theocracy

is on the march.

[barb162]

4. self delete

[Anarcho-Socialist]

5. What a shitty constitution

We were supposedly giving Iraqis "their freedom". Instead they get a slippery slope to Shariah law. The US-led coalition may not mind much, as long as Iraq is compliant to US economic wishes.

[OKNancy]

6. So predictable too

I know I and a lot of other DUers were saying this three years ago.
If they have a true democracy and the majority rules, then bye bye rights for women.

[bpilgrim]

7. eh, it works fer da SAUDIS, right?

http://media.globalfreepress.com

:evilgrin:

peace

[Erika]

8. We're going that way - 8 men, 1 woman on SC

And the Bush nominee willing to do away with women's rights and institute his religious beliefs. Did John Roberts help the Iraqis with their constitution?

[Massacure]

10. I can understand objection to the 25% women on the parliament.

Give them a penny and they will take a nickel though.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Well, that's certainly worth dying for - NOT. (nt)

[NNN0LHI]

12. Let freedom reign! n/t

[kevinmc]

13. Female Purple Finger's No Longer Wanted

Iraqi Constitution Draft Includes Curbs to Women's Rights

NYT

A working draft of Iraq's new constitution would cede a strong role to Islamic law and could sharply curb women's rights, particularly in personal matters like divorce and family inheritance.

The document's writers are also debating whether to drop or phase out a measure enshrined in the interim constitution, co-written last year by the Americans, requiring that women make up at least a quarter of the parliament.

The draft of a chapter of the new constitution obtained by The New York Times on Tuesday guarantees equal rights for women as long as those rights do not "violate Shariah," or Koranic law.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/20/international/middleeast/20women.html?hp&ex=1121832000&en=09d840d1e4d06041&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[VegasWolf]

14. Typical Old Testement crap, women are chattel. nt

[LynnTheDem]

15. "sharply curb women's rights"...WAY TO GO, BUSH!

WOOOHOOOO spreadin' that good ol DEMOCKRACY!

Stupid MFer.

[Book Lover]

16. If Shariah were written down in one place, that would be one thing

But as I understand it, there is no one body of written prohibited behavior, leaving what is forbidden open to interpretation. Its mutability makes farcical an Iraqi Constitution that supposedly applies to everyone in Iraq.

[daleo]

17. Reason number 25 for invading Iraq

Stripping women of the rights that bad old Saddam sort of protected.

Let Freedom Reign, unless you are female.

[Seabiscuit]

18. Isn't that just ducky - Shrub style democracy, for ya - gift wrapped and

postage paid.

[IndianaGreen]

19. Thank you America for once again fucking women up!

The same happened in Afghanistan when the many gains made by women under the Marxist government were swept away when the religious fanatics, supported by the United States, took power.

Women are also emancipated in Syria, another target of our testosterone-driven foreign policy.

[Erika]

20. And W/Laura get away with all their lies

about caring about women's rights.

[DeepModem Mom]

21. kick