Afghan women rally against domestic violence

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan women are marching in Kabul to protest violence against women and decry a new draft law that activists say will severely limit justice for victims of domestic abuse.

Afghanistan's parliament recently passed a new criminal procedure code that would ban relatives from testifying against alleged abusers. The legislation — currently awaiting signature from President Hamid Karzai — has prompted statements of concern from human rights organizations, the U.S., European Union and others.

Legal experts say the law would seriously curb prosecutions involving violence against women, where relatives are often the only witnesses.

About 100 women marched through Kabul on Thursday, chanting "no more violence" and "justice, justice."

Women's rights leader Fatana Gailani says the law will put too many limitations on women's lives.