Karzai Playing Politics With Women's Rights?

Court Favors Karzai Term Until Election New York Times — The Afghan Supreme Court said Sunday that President Hamid Karzai may lawfully remain in power until presidential elections in August, saying that it was in the national interest to maintain stability and continuity of government. The opinion, which is not binding, was the latest step in a constitutional wrangle between Mr. Karzai and his political rivals over a three-month gap between the end of his presidential term on May 21 and the elections that have been delayed for security and logistical reasons until Aug. 20. click to read complete article

Karzai govt. under fire over anti-women rights law The Hindu — The U.N. joined several rights groups in slamming Afghanistan for adopting a new law which curtails women's rights, describing it as a "huge step in the wrong direction." Several organisations saw in it an attempt by President Hamid Karzai to win votes in the upcoming elections. click to read complete article

Afghan presidential hopeful sees post-poll vacuum Reuters — Afghanistan will face a power vacuum after Aug. 20 polls despite a Supreme Court ruling allowing President Hamid Karzai to stay in office after his term officially ends on May 21, a rival candidate said on Thursday. The presidential election will be the defining test of progress this year in Afghanistan, where violence is surging despite the presence of 70,000 foreign forces, expected to rise to some 90,000 by the time the polls are held. click to read complete article