Islamic groups protest Pakistani rape law reform
{{date|November 17, 2006}}
[[Islam]]ist groups have vowed large scale protests after [[Pakistan]]'s {{w|Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament}} amended laws to transfer [[rape]] cases from [[Sharia]] courts to {{w|civil courts}}.

Sharia courts in Pakistan, based on Islamic religious law, try rape cases under "''{{w|Hudood}}''" laws instituted in 1979. The laws say that a rape victim must herself face {{w|adultery}} charges unless she can produce four Muslim male witnesses to the rape. The maximum sentence for adultery is [[death penalty|death]] by {{w|stoning}}.

The laws are widely condemned by [[women's rights]] groups as an almost impossible burden of proof. [[Human rights]] groups have long campaigned for changes to the religious laws. On Wednesday, Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the amendments.

A coalition of Islamic parties, the {{w|Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal}} (MMA), which forms the Parliamentary opposition, has opposed the changes, saying it encourages "free sex". The MMA says that its members will resign from national and provincial assemblies in protest. 

== Sources ==

*{{source
|url    = http://www.breitbart.com/news/na/061116020318.6jkvlwln.html
|title  = Pakistan hardliners threaten protests after rape law reform
|author = 
|pub    = breitbart.com
|date   = November 16 2006
}}
*{{source
|url    = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6153994.stm
|title  =  Islamists debate rape law moves
|author = 
|pub    = BBC News Online
|date   = November 16, 2006
}}

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[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Pakistan]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Shari'a]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Sex crimes]]
[[Category:Women's rights]]
[[Category:Human rights]]
Islamist groups have vowed large scale protests after Pakistan's Parliament amended laws to transfer rape cases from Sharia courts to .

Sharia courts in Pakistan, based on Islamic religious law, try rape cases under "adultery charges unless she can produce four Muslim male witnesses to the rape. The maximum sentence for adultery is death by .

The laws are widely condemned by women's rights groups as an almost impossible burden of proof. Human rights groups have long campaigned for changes to the religious laws. On Wednesday, Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the amendments.

A coalition of Islamic parties, the  (MMA), which forms the Parliamentary opposition, has opposed the changes, saying it encourages "free sex". The MMA says that its members will resign from national and provincial assemblies in protest.
Crime and law Islam Religion Pakistan Asia Shari'a Crime and law Sex crimes Women's rights Human rights