http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040515/wl_nm/pakistan_musharraf_rights_dc_1
Pakistan Ruler Wants Review of Strict Islamic Laws
By Zeeshan Haider
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called on Saturday for a review of controversial Islamic laws that human rights groups say are discriminatory against women and non-Muslim minorities.
Speaking at a convention on human rights, Musharraf said the strict Islamic laws passed under the military dictatorship of late General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq in 1979 should be studied afresh to ensure they were not misused.
"The nation should not shy away from re-examining the Hudood Ordinance by scholars, lawyers and legislators within the teachings of the Holy Koran," the official APP news agency quoted Musharraf as saying.
"Islam says we must reach a decision through discussion ... why should a discussion be opposed on an ordinance which is the creation of human mind," he added.
One of the most controversial provisions of the Hudood laws states that a woman must have four pious male Muslim witnesses to prove a rape, or face a charge of adultery herself.
Men and women found guilty of adultery face stoning to death or 100 lashes.
Secular political parties, civil rights and women's groups say rape and other violent crimes against women have soared since the passage of Hudood laws.
The private Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) says the incidence of rape could be higher than the one every two hours reported in the local media.
But successive governments have failed to change the laws because of stiff opposition from Islamist groups.
MODERATE VISION
Musharraf took power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and vowed to turn Pakistan into a moderate, progressive Muslim nation.
He said his general's uniform, which he has pledged to take off at the end of this year, had helped him take bold steps on human rights issues.
Critics say he had little to show for his efforts because of strong opposition from hardline Islamist groups.
Last December, Musharraf survived two assassination attempts blamed on militants linked to al Qaeda who are angry over his support for the U.S.-led war on terror.
Musharraf said the country's blasphemy law should also be reviewed. The blasphemy law prescribes the death penalty for insulting Prophet Mohammad, other prophets and holy books, but rights groups say it is often used to settle personal scores.
"The blasphemy law needs to be looked into so that justice is done and it is not misused to victimize the innocent," Musharraf said.
Most convictions are thrown out on appeal to higher courts, but several Christians and Muslims accused of blasphemy have been killed by religious fanatics inside prisons or police stations.
Musharraf also called for a law banning honor killings, in which male relatives kill women deemed to have brought disgrace on their families by having a relationship with a man, or marrying without consent or bringing an inadequate dowry.
"Although honor killing is illegal, the passage of law banning it would lend more strength to Pakistan's efforts to do away with the intolerable practice," he said.
Every year, hundreds of women are killed in the name of honor in feudal-dominated rural Pakistan but most go unreported.
Pakistan Ruler Wants Review of Strict Islamic Laws
By Zeeshan Haider
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called on Saturday for a review of controversial Islamic laws that human rights groups say are discriminatory against women and non-Muslim minorities.
Speaking at a convention on human rights, Musharraf said the strict Islamic laws passed under the military dictatorship of late General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq in 1979 should be studied afresh to ensure they were not misused.
"The nation should not shy away from re-examining the Hudood Ordinance by scholars, lawyers and legislators within the teachings of the Holy Koran," the official APP news agency quoted Musharraf as saying.
"Islam says we must reach a decision through discussion ... why should a discussion be opposed on an ordinance which is the creation of human mind," he added.
One of the most controversial provisions of the Hudood laws states that a woman must have four pious male Muslim witnesses to prove a rape, or face a charge of adultery herself.
Men and women found guilty of adultery face stoning to death or 100 lashes.
Secular political parties, civil rights and women's groups say rape and other violent crimes against women have soared since the passage of Hudood laws.
The private Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) says the incidence of rape could be higher than the one every two hours reported in the local media.
But successive governments have failed to change the laws because of stiff opposition from Islamist groups.
MODERATE VISION
Musharraf took power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and vowed to turn Pakistan into a moderate, progressive Muslim nation.
He said his general's uniform, which he has pledged to take off at the end of this year, had helped him take bold steps on human rights issues.
Critics say he had little to show for his efforts because of strong opposition from hardline Islamist groups.
Last December, Musharraf survived two assassination attempts blamed on militants linked to al Qaeda who are angry over his support for the U.S.-led war on terror.
Musharraf said the country's blasphemy law should also be reviewed. The blasphemy law prescribes the death penalty for insulting Prophet Mohammad, other prophets and holy books, but rights groups say it is often used to settle personal scores.
"The blasphemy law needs to be looked into so that justice is done and it is not misused to victimize the innocent," Musharraf said.
Most convictions are thrown out on appeal to higher courts, but several Christians and Muslims accused of blasphemy have been killed by religious fanatics inside prisons or police stations.
Musharraf also called for a law banning honor killings, in which male relatives kill women deemed to have brought disgrace on their families by having a relationship with a man, or marrying without consent or bringing an inadequate dowry.
"Although honor killing is illegal, the passage of law banning it would lend more strength to Pakistan's efforts to do away with the intolerable practice," he said.
Every year, hundreds of women are killed in the name of honor in feudal-dominated rural Pakistan but most go unreported.
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