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

By REUTERS

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Saturday concerns expressed by the United States and the United Nations towards 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 for diminishing women's rights.

Karzai has signed the law, but it has not yet come into force as it has not been promulgated in the official gazette.

The United States, NATO, Canada and the United Nations have spoken out against the law, saying that it legalises marital rape, but Karzai said their criticisms were based on a wrong translation or misinterpretation of the law.

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