Iraqi Constitution Draft Includes Curbs to Women's Rights

[Carla in Ca]

<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/20/international/middleeast/20women.html?ex=1279512000&en=bd81b87c495767c1&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss>

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 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.

snip>

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.

If adopted, the shift away from the more secular and egalitarian provisions of the interim constitution would be a major victory for Shiite clerics and religious politicians, who chafed at the Americans' insistence that Islam be designated in the interim constitution as just "a source" of legislation.

snip>


But women's groups are incensed by Article 14, which would repeal a relatively liberal personal status law enacted in 1959 after the British-backed monarchy was overthrown by secular military officers. That law remained in effect through the decades of Mr. Hussein's rule.

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This is absolutely stunning. If I read this correctly, women will have LESS rights than when Hussein was in power. Is this *'s idea of spreading democracy in the Middle East? Either he was lying (again) or the new cabinet is thumbing their nose at us. Either way, we lose.
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Also, two Sunnis on the Constitution committee were killed today:

<http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050719/wl_nm/iraq_dc;_ylt=AisQOK7FToooikgEMpk9o6Ss0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b3JuZGZhBHNlYwM3MjE->

[necso]

1. IMO, the whole secular thing

went out of the window some time ago (sadly).

And I expect an exodus of Christians, some signs of which have already been reported, as I remember.

Your basic disaster, although a very complicated one.

[newswolf56]

2. Precisely as if Bush's clandestine purpose...

were to turn Iraq into a haven for Fundamentalists: in which context consider the Grover Norquist scheme to build an alliance of Muslims and Fundamentalist Christians -- this on the basis of mutual hatreds (of women's rights, homosexuals, the Bill of Rights etc.).

[tritsofme]

3. Freedom is on the march!

nt

[magellan]

4. Fundamentalists + democracy = "lawful repression of basic rights"

It's happening in Iraq as well as here. And women always end up losing -- and suffering -- the most.

I'm sure the women of Iraq are grateful to Bush** for their new "freedom". We have yet to see what becomes of ours.
:mad: :cry:

[endarkenment]

5. about the 'happening here' part

One would think that women right here in our country would wake the f*ck up and start voting 9-1 in their own self interest, but instead of being a massive Democratic voting block, they are just marginally Democratic.

[magellan]

8. Indeed. Unfortunately it's always the same story...

For the most part people just don't react to injustice until it gets up close and personal.

I think that's one of the biggest advantages and disadvantages to being a true progressive (or Liberal): we're often more able/willing to empathize with others than the majority do, which helps us to recognize problems before they come home to roost. But our small numbers also keep our voices marginalized until a problem has grown to such proportions it's undeniable. I often feel like part of the "Told you so" camp.

Americans, particularly American women, are taking their rights for granted. I'm not sure they'll wake up in time. We've already lost so much.

[Tesha]

6. And this surprises you how? (NT)

[Carla in Ca]

7. Cute.

No, of course this does not surprise me. It makes me sad, mad and frustrated!
I'm sad that this disaster continues to go on day after day with no end in site, that Halliburton is making money while thousands die.

I'm mad that the lies of this administration have not brought one R, not one, to the floor and say enough is enough, we must stop this madness.

And I am frustrated that this SCOTUS nominee will move the sickening agenda of this WH forward, including, but not limited to, a woman's right to choose what is right for her.

I feel helpless that the political menu is changing from 'freedom' fries to a PNACbutter and jelly sandwich and I'm looking for suggestions how to best stop it before we choke on it






"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter." Dr. ML King, from a jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963.