A man should be allowed to beat his wife "lightly" if she defies his wishes, according to legislation proposed by a powerful constitutional council in Pakistan, the
Express-Tribune reports.
The body, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), suggests the violence only if the wife refuses to change her ways through persuasion first.
The CII, however, provides guidelines on how to carry out the beatings if they are needed.
NBC News reports that CII chairman Muhammad Khan Sherani explained to an Islamabad press conference: "Hit her in areas where her skin is not too thick and not too thin. Do not use shoes or a broom on the head, or hit her on the nose or eyes.
"Do not break any bones or cut her skin or leave any marks. Do not hit her vindictively, but only for reminding her about her religious duties."
The council has no power to enact legislation, but recommends to parliament measures that are consistent with Islamic law. The CII made the proposal in reaction to what it called the un-Islamic Protection of Women against Violence Act passed in Punjab, which was meant to expand legal protection to women from abuse.
Pakistani media and activists harshly criticized the proposals, including demands that the council be shut down, according to a report in the
Khaleej Times.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan issued a statement saying: "As much as HRCP wanted not to dignify with any comment the ridiculous CII recommendations regarding 'light beating' of women, we think it is imperative that every right-respecting person must condemn such counsel unreservedly. The irony of calling the measure women protection bill should not be lost on anyone."
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