Kabul: The Afghanistan parliament has passed a new law that would disable people from testifying against relatives, and even doctors who treat victims would be banned from speaking out. This law is seen as something that would effectively legalise violence against women.
Domestic abuse and forced marriage is rife in the nation plagued with terrorism and an extremist society. Â Although Afghanistan brought its law on Elimination of violence against women, in August 2009, the prosecutions of such cases have risen to just 2%, according to the UN.
The new law prohibits family members from testifying against an accused defendant, even forbidding a victim from testifying against his or her abuser. In a nation where most women’s social lives are almost solely within the family, such a law will deny justice to a vast majority of victims.
With the impending withdrawal of the US and NATO troops, some see this transition as an avenue for Taliban to return to power. The Islamic fundamentalist group is known for their suppression of women, forbidding them to go to school, wear the burqa, and denied basic rights.
President Karzai, however, is still to sign the law to bring it into effect. Â