Pakistanis Protest Changes In Rape Laws

Thousands of activists of a religious coalition rallied Sunday in the southern Pakistan city of Karachi to condemn the government over amendments in the country's controversial Islamic rape laws.

Pakistan's Parliament recently approved a bill to change the 1979 Hudood Ordinance, a law based on Islamic principles that requires rape victims to produce four witnesses to the crime. But the move has angered many conservative Muslims.

"We will not let Pakistan become secular," the supporters of a coalition of Islamic groups chanted.

The change in the law was prompted by human rights activists, who demanded the ordinance be repealed, saying it failed to help victims of rape get justice and made prosecution of attackers difficult.

The Parliament, dominated by Musharraf supporters, also passed legislation that would drop the death penalty for sex outside of marriage, an act still punishable with five years in prison or a fine of 10,000 rupees (US$165).

Under the new changes, judges would still have the authority to choose whether a rape case should be tried in a criminal court — where the four-witness rule would not apply — or under the old Islamic laws.

Last week, the Senate (or upper house of Parliament) approved the government amendments after the lower house or National Assembly had done so.

Musharraf has yet to sign the legislation into law.

Members of parliament from the Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal or United Action Forum, a grouping of six Islamic parties, have opposed the government measure, calling it as against Islam.

"Secular groups and Musharraf (are) changing the (Islamic) identity of Pakistan at America's behest," Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, a lawmaker from the alliance, said at Sunday's rally.

"The nation will not let this happen. We have started our movement against the government," he said, vowing to hold more protests.

About 8,000 people were estimated to have turned up for the rally, said Mohammed Salim, a city police officer.