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تصویر بندانگشتی

Afghan Lawmakers Split on Child Protection Act

Mir Rahman Rahmani, the speaker of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga (the lower house), on Saturday said that differences over the legal age of a child as determined by the law continue to prevent its final approval.

Lawmakers opposed to the act say that the law’s specification of children as “under 18” is against Islamic law, and some say they will not allow the House to discuss any other agenda item unless their reservations are addressed.

This was the second heated debate in the parliament since the first stage of the law was approved last Monday.

“Already a notification has been sent to an illegal court suggesting that if someone is arrested on charges of sexual practice under the age of 18, punish him,” said MP Habiburrahman Sayaf.

“We will not allow another agenda to be on the floor,” said MP Mohammad Alam Qarar.

But those lawmakers who supported approval of the act have accused their colleagues of not having sufficient information about the provisions of the law.

“Of all these provisions, which one of them is against Islam and the Sharia Law (Islamic law)? We are Muslims,” said MP Shinkai Karokhel.

“One of the important points of the law is that it is prohibiting Bacha Bazi--do the honorable lawyars want Bacha Bazi to be practiced?” asked MP Fatima Kohistani.

After hours of debate, the Speaker announced the formation of a ten member parliamentary delegation under the leadership of parliament’s second deputy speaker Amir Khan Yar to assess the law and report back to the House.

Also on Friday, Rights activists and other members of the Afghan parliament urged the Afghan Meshrano Jirga (upper house of parliament) to approve the Child Protection Act as soon as possible.

The law has 16 chapters and 118 articles.

Along with prohibiting the misuse and abuse of children, the law will secure the rights of children for citizenship, identity, and birth registration. Also, the law establishes freedom for children of religious minorities as well as the right of access to services, and the right to education. 

The law will help victims of the illegal practice of Bacha Bazi and it will prohibit the recruitment of children as soldiers.

Government figures show that there are at least 3.8 million vulnerable children in Afghanistan.

Afghan Lawmakers Split on Child Protection Act

Opponents say they will prevent any other agenda items to be discussed until resolution.

تصویر بندانگشتی

Mir Rahman Rahmani, the speaker of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga (the lower house), on Saturday said that differences over the legal age of a child as determined by the law continue to prevent its final approval.

Lawmakers opposed to the act say that the law’s specification of children as “under 18” is against Islamic law, and some say they will not allow the House to discuss any other agenda item unless their reservations are addressed.

This was the second heated debate in the parliament since the first stage of the law was approved last Monday.

“Already a notification has been sent to an illegal court suggesting that if someone is arrested on charges of sexual practice under the age of 18, punish him,” said MP Habiburrahman Sayaf.

“We will not allow another agenda to be on the floor,” said MP Mohammad Alam Qarar.

But those lawmakers who supported approval of the act have accused their colleagues of not having sufficient information about the provisions of the law.

“Of all these provisions, which one of them is against Islam and the Sharia Law (Islamic law)? We are Muslims,” said MP Shinkai Karokhel.

“One of the important points of the law is that it is prohibiting Bacha Bazi--do the honorable lawyars want Bacha Bazi to be practiced?” asked MP Fatima Kohistani.

After hours of debate, the Speaker announced the formation of a ten member parliamentary delegation under the leadership of parliament’s second deputy speaker Amir Khan Yar to assess the law and report back to the House.

Also on Friday, Rights activists and other members of the Afghan parliament urged the Afghan Meshrano Jirga (upper house of parliament) to approve the Child Protection Act as soon as possible.

The law has 16 chapters and 118 articles.

Along with prohibiting the misuse and abuse of children, the law will secure the rights of children for citizenship, identity, and birth registration. Also, the law establishes freedom for children of religious minorities as well as the right of access to services, and the right to education. 

The law will help victims of the illegal practice of Bacha Bazi and it will prohibit the recruitment of children as soldiers.

Government figures show that there are at least 3.8 million vulnerable children in Afghanistan.

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