Abolishing rape-related penal clause has its supporters and opposers

After the abolishing on Wednesday by the Parliamentary Commission for Administration and Justice of the Penal Code Article 522 that allowed for rapists to escape prosecution by marrying their victims ( http://bit.ly/2lS1lfD), L’Orient Le Jour newspaper spoke to concerned NGOs to know where they stand on the matter. From Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation, lawyer Leila Awada expressed her objection to a legislation that holds onto traditional considerations, warning that the organization shall not keep quiet vis-a-vis the compromise reached. Awada also disapproved the exceptions to the law, basically inherent in cases related to consensual intercourse with an under-aged between 15 and 18 years of age should the aggressor decide to marry his victim. She criticized a law that views a sexual activity with a minor as an offence, if it was committed outside marriage, describing that as a flagrant concession by the Lebanese State to underage marriage as supported by the personal status laws governing sects in Lebanon. On the other hand, lawyer Danielle Howayek representing Abaad Resource Center for Gender Equality, told L’Orient Le Jour that, while the formula adopted had its unfavorable challenges, yet it was the best so far, boasting that her organization’s campaign achieved its goals to this effect. Howayek made clear that Abaad will continue its struggle until the law is ratified by the Parliament, urging sister NGOs to carry out awareness campaigns to educate the youth on their sexual rights and the consequences of marriage decisions. (L’Orient Le Jour, February 17, 2017)

 

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