HARGEISA (Halbeeg News) – The police in the breakaway Somaliland have recorded over 100 rape cases since early this year.
In a report released on Saturday, the police said 87 individuals were arrested in connection to rape cases that occurred in northern Somalia.
“101 cases of rape have been recorded since January this year. 87 people linked to cases of rape were arrested but several others are still at large,” the report reads in part.
The reports show a slight decrease in rape cases when compared the cases recorded in 2014 which stands at 108 cases.
The report comes two months after Somaliland leader Abdi Muse Bihi signed into law the rape and sexual offenses bill which was passed in January by the region’s Parliament.
The bill which criminalizes the rape and slaps the convicted offenders with prison terms.
Among punishments under the bill are, life imprisonment for those who cause bodily harm or infect the victims with HIV together while committing rape.
It condemns the individuals who rape a victim using force or threats, with 15-20 years in jail as those who rape underage get 20-25 years.
The offences of gang rape also carry 20 to 25 years imprisonment, according to the passed bill.
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