Human Rights Groups Call For Repeal of Pakistan's Hudood Laws

In Pakistan, according to Saturday's AsiaNews.it, a group of eleven human rights organizations have called for repeal of the Hudood ordinances that were originally adopted in 1979 based on strict Islamic law. The laws relate to property rights, and to adultery and rape. Under the ordinances, a woman who is a victim of rape must bring before an Islamic court the testimony of four adult Muslim males who witnessed the act and can testify the act was carried out using violence. If the victim is unable to produce these witnesses, she may find herself accused of adultery. Also the laws prohibit non-Muslims from being witnesses or judges in these trials. The groups say this provision violates Pakistan's constitutional guarantee of equal rights regardless of sex, religion, race or creed.