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http://dawn.com/2013/05/22/afhan-students-protest-womens-rights-decree/

AP | 22nd May, 2013

AFGHANISTAN - MALE STUDENTS PROTEST WOMEN'S RIGHTS DECREE

— File Photo by Reuters

KABUL: Hard-line Islamist students protested in the Afghan capital demanding the repeal of a presidential decree for women’s rights that they say is un-Islamic.

More than 200 male students protested in front of Kabul University on Wednesday against the decree, which includes a ban on child marriage and forced marriage, makes domestic violence a crime and says rape victims cannot be prosecuted for adultery.

Protester Fazel Hadi, 25, said the decree was ”imposed by foreigners” and violates Islamic Shariah law.

Conservative lawmakers on Saturday blocked enshrining the decree’s provisions in legislation.

The backlash highlights the tenuousness of women’s rights provisions enacted in the 12 years since the ouster of the hard-line Taliban regime.

The international force that toppled the Taliban is now preparing to withdraw.

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