Afghanistan to Re-Form Virtues Ministry

[DoYouEverWonder]

July 18, 2006

KABUL, Afghanistan - The Afghan government announced plans Tuesday to re-establish a Vice and Virtues Ministry, but it assured the public the office would not resemble the Taliban version that became a symbol of the brutal regime toppled by U.S. forces in 2001.

Afghanistan's powerful religious and tribal leaders have been pressing U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai to reinstate the ministry, which many considered the most powerful in the ousted Taliban government. It employed 32,000 people to enforce the Islamic zealots' bans on girls' schools, on television, on card-playing and other gambling, even on kite-flying and women's public baths.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said the move "raises serious concerns about potential abuse of the rights of women and vulnerable groups."

Karim Rahimi, Karzai's spokesman, said Afghans should not be worried.

"The people were scared of the Vice and Virtues Ministry under the Taliban, but this new ministry won't be like the Taliban's," Rahimi said. "It will take into consideration moral and religious activities to help improve Afghan society."

Rahimi said Karzai has discussed plans to revive the department with religious and tribal leaders, and has passed it to the Ministry for Hajj and Religious Affairs for further review and eventual ratification.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/print?id=2208168


I hear Bill Bennett is looking for a job.

[ret5hd]

1. Coming soon to a country near (very near) you!

[uppityperson]

2. Not like the Taliban version, but new and improved.

shame

[rpannier]

4. New and improved like...

Coke Zero in the 80's.

[rodeodance]

5. the more subtle it s the more dangerous it is.

[xchrom]

3. another bush failure!

[KamaAina]

6. Freedom and democracy continue to march across the Middle East

:sarcasm: at least, I hear lots of boots marching... wait a minute... that's not freedom or democracy... :scared:

[BrotherBuzz]

7. Is Laura Bush going to make a statement condemning this?

Chirp, chirp, chirp....

[Marie26]

8. And burquas come back in style. nt