Sudan rejects laws on women rights which contradict Islam

Oct 17, 2005 (KHARTOUM)– The Sudanese government has affirmed that it has reservations on some articles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), particularly those which contradict Islam.

The minister of justice, Mohamed Ali al-Maradi, said in a press statement following his meeting with the special rapporteur on human rights in Sudan, Ms Sima Samar, that Sudan would not accept any article that contradicts the Islamic religion.

He added that women rights are guaranteed in all legislation and the constitution which enable women to assume public work and posts on equal footing with men.

Al-Maradi pointed out that the rapporteur was notified that Sudan assumed an advanced position compared, with a great number of the Third World countries and even the First World states, in the field of preserving human rights, and stipulating it as binding duties of the state.

He said that these rights are enshrined in 22 articles in the constitution and protected by the Constitutional Court.

(ST)