CII reviews ruling on DNA admissibility in rape cases

Published September 18, 2013
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) had 
drawn flak from civil society and legal circles who termed its earlier recommendations against the law.
declared DNA tests unacceptable as primary evidence in cases of rape, but could be used as a supporting evidence for confirmation of the crime.—File Photo
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) had drawn flak from civil society and legal circles who termed its earlier recommendations against the law. declared DNA tests unacceptable as primary evidence in cases of rape, but could be used as a supporting evidence for confirmation of the crime.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Under pressure after severe criticism over its controversial ruling in May this year which discarded DNA as primary evidence in rape cases, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) began deliberations on Wednesday to review its earlier recommendations.

The Council will give its final ruling on DNA admissibility on Thursday.

The earlier recommendations of the CII said DNA could be used in rape cases only when four witnesses testified to the crime but the accused denied charges. In other words, DNA could be used only to supplement primary evidence of four witnesses.

The CII recommendations drew flak from civil society and legal circles who termed the recommendations against the law.

In an apparent damage control exercise, the CII convened again today to deliberate on the issue.

“CII aims to provide the maximum facilitation to avail this opportunity of using DNA testing as primary evidence in rape cases. But the only hurdle in the way of giving justice to people is lack of speedy trials and absence of strict implementation of laws,” said CII senior member and head of the Pakistan Ulema Council Allama Tahir Ashrafi.

His statement was supported by Allama Amin Shaheedi who said DNA is a vital tool to identify rapists.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had earlier blasted the Council for undermining the DNA evidence. In its latest statement, the HRCP stated that rape is on a sharp rise in the country and only in Lahore 113 cases of rape including 32 gang rape cases have been reported so far this year.

AFP adds: Members of the CII attending the conference on Wednesday also suggested amendments to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, proposing the death penalty for people convicted of making false accusations.

“All the religious scholars agreed to put an end to the misuse of blasphemy laws,” Allama Tahir Ashrafi told news agency AFP. “Keeping in view the suggestions of human rights activists and civil society members, the Council of Ideology has decided to fix the same penalty for the person who falsely accuses of blasphemy as the accused,” he added.

Ashrafi said the proposed amendment would ensure that “nobody dares to use religion to settle personal scores”.

“The amendment will also silence critics of the blasphemy laws,” he added.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...