In Kabul this past weekend, a crowd of thousands watched the first public execution in Afghanistan since an Afghan woman was stoned to death in May for adultery. The brother of one of the killer's victims was able to cut the man's throat because it follows the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law where a victim's family can execute the convicted killer. The Taliban advocates the killing of convicted murderers and adulterers, the amputation of limbs for thieves and beatings for people found guilty of any lesser crimes. Afghan officials also announced that they are considering lifting the ban on television so that the medium can be used to promote Afghan culture and Islam.
Media Resources: Washington Post - 22 July 2000 and 24 July 2000
5/20/2013 Afghan Violence Against Women Law Blocked in Parliament - On Saturday, the Speaker of the Lower House of Afghan Parliament delayed a vote on the Elimination of Violence against Women law after two hours of vociferous debate between conservative religious and more liberal members of Parliament. . . .
5/20/2013 Walmart, American Retailers Refuse to Join Bangladesh Accord - Walmart, along with 13 other major North American companies, refused to sign a legally binding agreement to improve working conditions for overseas factory workers that manufacture their clothes after a garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh killing an estimated 1300 workers, the New York Times reports.
The agreement requires retailers pay $500,000 to improve worker safety measures over a five year period. . . .
