New Afghanistan Law, Possibility for Improved and Worssened International Relationships

Madeline Moton

In recent news, the Afghan government stated it is going to change a law that many countries say legalizes rape within marriage. Interestingly enough, the president of Afghanistan stated that he ans other were unaware of the provisions in the legislation. This statement makes me wonder as to why he would sign a law that he did not read in full. He is the president of a country and therefore shis more than required to read everything he receives and especially everything he signs.

This shows two things on Afghanistan's part. One, that the government is loosing the trust of other countries by making illegitimate excuses, and two that the government is showing improvement in its rights for women. To explain this second point more, if the government was not improving at all, these provisions and acts of removal would not have been made or addressed. But, because the country acknowledges that the law strips women of their personal human rights, they are showing signs of human right development for women especially. The article also stated that there were about 350-500 women protesters marching the streets over this law, whicha again shows improvement in women's rights.

In regards tio international relationships with othere countries, this recent news could either improve Afghanistan's government's relationships with other countries or worssen their relationsships. If the government is found legislating other laws similar to this one, I belive it will cause other countries to defect from forms of trade, commerce or anything interenationally related.