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The silence of the Afghans

Parliament and the Canadian media went crazy on Wednesday about a new law, approved by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, that would deprive Afghan Shia women of most human rights.

Afghanistan's English-language online media, however, had nothing to say about it.

The Globe and Mail reported parliamentary outrage on both sides of the house about the "Afghan rape law." CBC News said Prime Minister Harper was "deeply troubled" about the new law.

But The Hook's quick survey of English-language online media in Afghanistan found a profound silence about the issue.

Afghan Online Press had plenty about the impending presidential election, but even its page about Afghan Women's History hadn't been updated since January.

KabulPress.org was equally quiet about the subject.

Pajhwok Afghan News was delighted to report that Afghanistan had beaten Denmark at cricket, by five wickets. Otherwise, nothing.

And Daily Outlook Afghanistan carried a story about Stephen Harper, but with no mention of the law stripping Afghan women of their rights.

The Hook looks forward to reporting President Karzai's abject apology to Canadians about this matter, and the prompt repeal of the "rape law."

Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee.

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