The Taliban and Women's Rights

On Friday Ellen Goodman wrote in The Boston Globe about Afghan President Hamid Karzai allowing a small minority in his country to implement the more strict view of women's rights under Sharia.

I agree with Ms Goodman.  This is a step backward.  And, the quote she has from Dr Sima Samar, chairperson of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission,

Human rights are not a Western concept, but universal, and necessary for all human beings.

is perfect.

The problem is, what to do about it.

Ms Goodman belittles President Karzai by labeling him "our man in Kabul."  This is a key point when we are "helping" other nations develop as democracies.  When does "our man" become "his own man?"  If I was an Afghan reading the article I would be digging in my heels by the fourth paragraph.

We also have the question as to when our view of human rights becomes our right to intervene in the the affairs of another nation?  Isn't this what we have been told former President George Bush did wrong (and worse, did wrong after saying it was the kind of thing the US shouldn't do)?

I hope there is another column coming from Ms Goodman.  This opinion piece, "Taliban, the Sequel," identifies a problem.

What we need is the Goodman Sequel, "Possible Courses of Action."

Regards  —  Cliff