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President Obama Calls New Women-Oppressing Afghan Law "Abhorrent" -- But Suggests It Won't Change US Mission
April 04, 2009 6:08 PM
PRAGUE -- President Obama expressed opposition to a new Afghan law sanctioning the oppression of women in society Saturday, but suggested the U.S. would continue its mission in that country regardless.
The law, signed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week, codifies sharia, or Islamic law, creating restrictions on when women can leave their homes – saying they can only do so “for a legitimate purpose.” It would forbid wives from either being educated or employed without the express permission of their husbands.
The provision receiving the most attention requires wives to meet the sexual needs of their husbands. “Unless the wife is ill, the wife is bound to give a positive response to the sexual desires of her husband,” the law states, which critics say would legalize marital rape.
The law applies to Shiites, which represent approximately 15% of the population in Afghanistan.
“I think this law is abhorrent,” President Obama said at a news conference in Strasbourg, France, at the conclusion of a NATO Summit. “Certainly the views of the administration have been, and will be, communicated to the Karzai government. And we think that it is very important for us to be sensitive to local culture, but we also think that there are certain basic principles that all nations should uphold, and respect for women and respect for their freedom and integrity is an important principle.”
That said, Mr. Obama suggested that whatever the law stands or not will not affect his new strategy for Afghanistan, with its narrower mission. While President Bush spoke as recently as last December about creating a “flourishing democracy” in Afghanistan, his successor has stated no such goals, and in fact did not use the word “democracy” when discussing that country in his major policy address last week.
“I want everybody to understand that our focus is to defeat al Qaeda and ensure that they do not have safe havens from which they can launch attacks against the Alliance,” President Obama said.
Mr. Obama’s comments stand in contrast with those of NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who told the BBC on Friday that NATO troops “are there to defend universal values and when I see, at the moment, a law threatening to come into effect which fundamentally violates women’s rights and human rights, that worries me.”
Added the Secretary General, “how can I defend -- or how can the British government defend, the Canadian government, the Dutch government -- that our boys and girls are dying there in the defense of universal values and you see a law, almost come into effect not yet there is still a possibility not to sign, which fundamentally violates women’s rights and general human rights?”
On Saturday, Karzai suggested that “the Western media have either mistranslated or taken incorrect information and then published it. If there is anything in contradiction with our Constitution or sharia, or freedoms granted by the Constitution, we will take action in close consultation with the clerics of the country.” He said he would review the law.
But experts suggest no one is mistranslating anything.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement that the law “is another clear indication that the human rights situation in Afghanistan is getting worse not better. Respect for women’s rights – and human rights in general – is of paramount importance to Afghanistan’s future security and development. This law is a huge step in the wrong direction.”
She said the law “is extraordinary, reprehensible and reminiscent of the decrees made by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in the 1990s.”
Asked if US troops might be less motivated to fight such a mission, President Obama said “our troops are highly motivated to protect the United States.”
He said “we want to do everything we can to encourage and promote rule of law, human rights, the education of women and girls in Afghanistan, economic development, infrastructure development, but I also want people to understand that the first reason we are there is to root out al Qaeda so that they cannot attack members of the Alliance.”
- jpt
April 4, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (85)
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A good point was made earlier: Did we go to Afghanistan to root out al Queda that was being protected by the Taliban or, did we go there to give women rights and change their laws?
Posted by: Sigmond | Apr 5, 2009 2:23:26 PM
I am ashamed that some of you people call yourselve Americans and say whats going on in Afghanistan or any other not-free country is ok! You dont believe in American ideals. You probably werent born here so you didnt have American history class. You arent an American! You just live here.
Posted by: paulieshere2 | Apr 5, 2009 12:53:32 PM
You guys are crazy to not say Afghanistan should be a free democracy and we are trying to stop Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda is an 'idea' we may have stopped what the Nazi's were doing but arent there still neo-nazi's all over the world to this day? Why let give these people the right to rape their wives and grow and ship us heroin unless the USA/CIA has a hand in it? Dont you think Al-Qaeda makes money from the opium they grow in Afghanistan its 90% of their gross national product for God sake! Why dont those people deserve to be free? We set up Karzai as their government. We did. The USA. You can say George Bush didnt help this one or that one but guess what hes not in charge anymore! Obama is! This is North Korea and Afghanistan testing the waters to see what they can get away with they know Obama is being too politically correct to other countries and tied to it.
Posted by: obamaisbad4u | Apr 5, 2009 12:49:05 PM
He is right (in this instance), we cannot save a people from themselves. This mission isn't about the Afghans but more about their unwanted visitors and their next door neighbors.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | Apr 5, 2009 7:08:24 AM
Messing in politics and cultures is not the business of any president!!! It certainly is not in the best interests of Obama to interfer in this matter even though it's unacceptable to our beliefs. Better he should pay attention to matters affecting US security and also focus on the good that Americans do rather than insult them in a world-wide speech!!
Posted by: lallen | Apr 5, 2009 6:48:31 AM
of course it doesn't matter! we need to focus on safeguarding those opiate/heroin fields in afghanistan that the cia has been funneling here to the states for decades!!! karzai gets his cut too... of course obama is once again OUTRAGED, but he knows what the puppet masters have ordered him to do...
Posted by: bhudda flii | Apr 5, 2009 6:08:52 AM
Mr.Obama, I think you had better pay attention to North Korea rather than worry about Afghan women covering their faces.
Posted by: Mihann | Apr 5, 2009 4:36:06 AM
obamaisbad4u, this isn't WW2 where there are victims in death camps who are asking anybody they can to help get them out of death camps and etc. Al-quaeda gives them free schools, they aren't forcing them into slave labor death camps. the poorer people along with extremists are kind of cooperating with al-quaeda who is obviously an enemy of America, which is why American politicians keep saying the answer isn't just military, the poor people need more options, more schools (not just schools that teach hate), etc... this isn't WW2!!
Posted by: this isn't WW2 | Apr 5, 2009 4:08:16 AM
this is treating women as slaves. this law is horrible, I hope the Afghan men will stop oppressing women.
Posted by: guest | Apr 5, 2009 3:59:05 AM
Democrats...forget about BUSH. I have yet to hear any Democrat either compare Obama to a Republican other than Bush OR reply to a Republican blog with anything other that pure hatred because of the quote- "last 8 years" -just stop and think. Stop letting your judgement be cloud3ed with anger. Human rights (especially womens) should be held to the highest accountability standards during any American operations. Hold Obama accountable for not caring just as much as you helf Bush accountable for not caring. TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRU!
Posted by: PLEASE | Apr 5, 2009 3:24:56 AM
As in the movies Home Alone, Kevin says before the house crooks invade his abodes "Don't get scared now". As women were left to continue the needs of the homestead in the "old West", women had to say to themselves and their children "Don't get scared now". They had to be tough and lead their families with unbelieveable strengths in their husband's or man's absence. These same strengths were seen in women during WWI and WWII. Women must realize that standing up, being strong, and utilizing mental, physical, and spiritual strengths are very feminine. Being weak isn't an option. Being strong for the men in our lives assists them in knowing they can be stronger, better, and do the right things without worrying about any weaknesses in us. Strong women make strong men. Let's work together in building greatness and getting the jobs at hand done. Winning is our only option.
Posted by: Gg51 | Apr 5, 2009 1:45:41 AM
Tony, one of the reasons this law has been enforced is to protect the women from harm, preparing for one more war in their country. During a war, women who have more freedoms are more targets than under specific laws. Therefore, having to have relations with one husband versus many strangers is more logical. Do I agree with their law, of course not, but if it protects these women from extreme harm and harsh punishments and violence, then so be it. Ceasing Al Quada is the main goal and mission at hand.
Posted by: Gg51 | Apr 5, 2009 1:30:39 AM
Nick, if you know anything about strategies, you will know that we mix it up -- sometimes zone, and sometimes man to man. Always find out the opponents' weakness, and play only to win against the weakness. Wear down the opponent. America only has one option -- win on all fronts. It's all mental, physical, and spiritual.
Posted by: Gg51 | Apr 5, 2009 1:20:30 AM
Press "full court" sanctions on North Korea, and do the same with Iran if they pull any "cute" similar measures as North Korea has recently done. America is after Osama bin Laden, and won't rest until he is found and disposed.
Posted by: Gg51 | Apr 5, 2009 1:14:24 AM
Yet North Korea starves their people, while blustering and threatening for concessions from the world. Whom will we first take to task?
Posted by: Nick | Apr 5, 2009 1:09:49 AM
paulieshere2, just look around your own neighborhood. Certainly you don't live in the "perfect" city in America, or do you? Individuals like you always point the finger and so unprepared when three fingers are pointing at you.
Posted by: Gg51 | Apr 5, 2009 1:05:25 AM
obamaisbad4u, what did Bush.Cheney do about all the American women who were stolen and sold in human traffic for sex and drugs during their reign? What about the young woman who lived in Italy who was killed? What about the Alabama high school senior who was stolen? How many run aways in Las Vegas and LA become in that number, all under Bush.Cheney's reign? How many? The numbers were staggering.
Posted by: Gg51 | Apr 5, 2009 1:02:41 AM
So we are going to 'provide alternatives' to narco-trafficking in Afghanistan - but not STOP it right? Stupid!
Posted by: paulieshere2 | Apr 5, 2009 12:58:44 AM
Islam isn't the problem but extremist in any form is -- extreme Christianity and extreme Islam are the very same -- religions of control and hatred towards others who are different.
Posted by: Gg51 | Apr 5, 2009 12:57:24 AM
So I guess Obama 'likes' muslims and islam so much that its ok to let millions of Afghan women and children suffer so we can 'find Bin Laden' (who may be dead) and 'root out Al-qaeda' how? We arent freeing their people and burning the poppy fields or cutting off the flow of cash to Al-Qaeda. What do you mean we wont be distracted? We are distracted! Distracted from being a real American like in World War II? We freed everyone. We killed the bad guys. End of story! Why cant we do that now? Political correctness? Its an islamo-fasicist trick!
Posted by: obamaisbad4u | Apr 5, 2009 12:57:12 AM
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