Snow Crash
07-03-2009, 02:20 PM
[offsite:3l5lspk4]Syria has scrapped a law limiting the length of sentences handed down to men convicted of killing female relatives they suspect of having illicit sex.
Women's groups had long demanded that Article 548 be scrapped, arguing it decriminalised "honour" killings.
Activists say some 200 women are killed each year in honour cases by men who expect lenient treatment under the law.
The new law replaces the existing maximum sentence of one year in jail with a minimum jail term of two years.[/offsite:3l5lspk4]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8130639.stm
Ok, its not much in terms of sentences, and the laws are still WAY too soft, but it's still progress in the struggle for womens' rights in a country like Syria. ANY progress at all cannot be sniffed at, imo.
Let's hope it paves the way for more victories like this. I can't believe it took so many murders to force the President to actually look at this problem.
Women's groups had long demanded that Article 548 be scrapped, arguing it decriminalised "honour" killings.
Activists say some 200 women are killed each year in honour cases by men who expect lenient treatment under the law.
The new law replaces the existing maximum sentence of one year in jail with a minimum jail term of two years.[/offsite:3l5lspk4]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8130639.stm
Ok, its not much in terms of sentences, and the laws are still WAY too soft, but it's still progress in the struggle for womens' rights in a country like Syria. ANY progress at all cannot be sniffed at, imo.
Let's hope it paves the way for more victories like this. I can't believe it took so many murders to force the President to actually look at this problem.