Law reform

Jordan: International conference ''Our Constitution, Our Future"

Opening a dialogue on how to negotiate women's rights in both religious and secular frameworks.

Canada: Shirin Ebadi decries Islamic law for Canada

Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, a leading human-rights crusader in her native Iran, took a firm stand against the introduction of Islamic tribunals in Canada, warning they open the door to potential rights abuses.

Arabie Saoudite: Autoriser les femmes à conduire est une question secondaire

Le puissant ministre saoudien de l'Intérieur, le prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, a sévèrement critiqué ceux de ses concitoyens favorables à la levée de l'interdiction de conduire faite aux femmes du royaume.

USA: Utah's 'inability' to prosecute polygamists

This article makes the point that lawmen can't stop going after criminals just because the number of criminals is "too great".

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia shelves plan to let women drive

Saudi Arabia's appointed consultative council has shelved a proposal by one of its members to lift the ban on women's driving in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom.

Uganda: Domestic Bill on hold

The Domestic Relations Bill (DRB) has again been shelved amidst protests from several MPs, mostly women activists.

Canada: Quebec’s decision to ban Shari'a court is a victory for all defenders of human rights

“We expect that Ontario should do the same.”

Iraq: Women’s rights under scrutiny

New parliament is expected to debate legislation (the personal status law) that diminishes the status of women.

Canada: Quebec rejects shari'a for legal system

Quebec has rejected the use of Islamic tribunals, which can be used to settle family disputes, in the province.

India: AIMPLB’s ‘model’ Nikahnamah - neither model nor novel

The so-called ‘model’ nikahnamah prepared by the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board and released at its recently-held meeting in Bhopal has, predictably, stirred up a hornet’s nest.