Islamabad (AsiaNews) – Thousands of Pakistani women in prison for violating the notorious Hudood Ordinances, should be released on bail. This was decided by President Pervez Musharraf who has amended the Penal Code to allow all female detainees access to bail, except those who are implicated in cases of murder and terrorism. Previously, there was no bail for crimes sanctioned by the Hudood. However, the move is not held to be enough for human rights groups and the Catholic Church in Pakistan; they are persisting in calling for the complete repeal of all the Ordinances.

Musharraf announced the promulgation of the presidential ordinance (called 'Law Reforms Ordinance 2006') on 7 July. The Minister for Women's Development and Youth Affairs, Sumaira Malik, said the process of releasing jailed women had begun and around 1,300 female prisoners – most held under the Hudood laws – would be bailed out within the next 48 hours. The government will provide legal aid to facilitate their release, grant personal and financial surety for their bail, and accommodation for the homeless.

The initiative was not well received by NGOs and civil society groups, which protested in Lahore on 8 July to call for the repeal of the Ordinances. Peter Jacob, executive secretary of the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), a branch of the Catholic  Church, told AsiaNews the measures of the government "are too little too late". He continued: "This is just eye wash. If Islamabad had listened to our recommendations years ago, these women would not even be in prison now."

About cancelling the Hudood Ordinances, Sumaira Malik said: "The government has decided to amend the most controversial clauses of the Hudood". But she added: "Only the man-made laws will be amended, not divine ones."

The Islamic Hudood ordinances are made up of four sections that regulate propriety, qazaf [false accusations of adultery], adultery and prohibitions that bind also non-Muslims where alcohol and gambling are concerned. Everything falls under the general rule that in court, non-Muslims must be tried by a Muslim judge and have a Muslim lawyer. Victims of these discriminatory norms are usually women and minority groups.