Section A ยท Page 8 The University Daily Kansan Wednesday. July 1. 1998 Red Lyon Tavern 944 Mass. 832-8228 Poverty links to discrimination A man chops off his wife's hands and feet because she disobeyed him. A prominent Christian leader is driven to suicide in protest of discrimination against religious minorities. Unfortunately, these are two recent, real examples of the situation of many women and minorities in Pakistan. Also unfortunately, the first thought many people have after reading about these atrocities is "those crazy Islamic fundamentalists." In reality these are not the acts of an Islamic fundamentalist or even of a true Muslim. Contrary to popular belief within and outside Pakistan, women and minorities are not disadvantaged because Pakistan is an Islamic state but because it is a less developed state. This summer I have been involved in extensive, hands-on research of human rights abuses against Pakistan's women and minorities. Many of my preconceived notions about the causes and solutions to these problems have been shattered. Shocking violence affects mainly the lower socioeconomic classes. Rural males often have minimal or no schooling and engage in menial labor.Because they feel the need to control some part of their lives, the women in their families their families suffer These women also are poorly educated, financially dependent upon their husbands or fathers and unaware of their legal and religious rights. In a society devoid of a real system of social Commentary services, women bear the bru** Nadia Mustafa editor@kansan.com services, women bear the brunt. Last week, I met a 21-year-old woman who recently had completed four years of rehabilitation for severe facial and upper body burns. When she was a 16-year-old newlywed in a poor, rural village outside Islamabad, her husband set her on fire with kerosene because she tried to leave the house against his wishes. Today, she retains permanent scars, can no longer blink her eyes and her ears have melted away. But her husband roams free. There are not enough strong institutions in place to punish the perpetrators of this violence. Pakistan has only a handful of non-governmental organizations engaged in the struggle for human rights. They work amid corrupt, under-funded law enforcement agencies that disastrously misinterpret Islam. Last year hundreds of families lost their homes when a Christian village in the province of Punjab was looted and burned by mobs that were instigated supposedly by local police. This was not an attempt at ethnic cleansing but a land-grab aimed at an easy target. Before being rash in our judgments about Pakistan and similar societies, we must recall lessons from American history before the Civil War. Fifty years into our development as a nation, women had almost no rights. Native Americans and African Americans were victims of violent discrimination. In light of this analysis, perhaps the United States should be helping Pakistan instead of imposing economic sanctions. But that is another debate. For now, it is important that we begin examining people and situations in full instead of automatically blaming the Islamic fundamentalists. Mustafa is an Topeka sophomore in journalism and political science. Ice Cream! Bowling! The UDK has teamed up with two local businesses to give you coupons when you place a four or more line classified ad and run it at least two or more weeks. Coupons include: Lawrence, Kansas To place a classified, stop by 119 Stauffer-Flint or call 864-4358. Recycle your Kansan OVER INVOICE COST! DOG FOOD 18 IN. & LARGER OVER INVOICE COST] ALL GRADE "AA" EGGS OVER INVOICE COST! COKE, DIET CORE, SURGE OR SPRITE 1 PACK 12.0Z OZ OVER INVOICE COST! NATIONAL BRAND POP 24 PACK,12 OZ.CANS OVER INVOICE COST! MILLER HIGHLIFE CALIFORNIA ICEBERG HEAD OVER INVOICE COST! COUNTRY STYLE VINE-RIPE ARKANSAS TOMATOES MINUTE MAID LEMONADE WHITE SEEDLESS, RED FLAME GRAPES OR CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON STATE NECTARINES 1