Karzai Says Anger At Afghan Shi'ite Law "Inappropriate"

[Mari333]

Source: ny times

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Saturday concerns expressed by the United States and the United Nations toward a new law for Afghanistan's Shi'ite minority and its impact on women's rights were inappropriate.

Shi'ite Muslims account for some 15 percent of mainly Sunni Muslim Afghanistan and the Shi'ite Personal Status Law has been attacked by Afghan lawmakers for diminishing women's rights.
In a copy of the law obtained by Reuters, Article 132 states "a wife is obliged to fulfill the sexual desires of her husband."

It also states that a husband should spend one night in every four with his wife, have sexual contact with her at least once every four months and that a woman has to wear make-up if her husband demanded it.

Article 137 also says a woman cannot inherit any of her husband's wealth when he dies

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/04/04/world/international-us-afghanistan-women.html