HARGEISA (Halbeeg News) – Convicted rapists now stand to face up 25 years in jail after Somaliland House of Representatives approved rape bill.
The senators on Sunday dropped the amendments made to the bill by the Guurti and endorsed the initial bill.
The bill criminalizes rape for the first time, and requiring prison terms for individuals convicted of the crime, a move praised by Human Rights groups.
It now goes to the officer of Somaliland leader, Muse Bihi Abdi to append his signature to the bill to make the first major legislation to avert rape and all gender-based violations against women.
NAFIS Network Highly appreciating Somaliland Parliament for the approval of RAPE BILL and their rejection on the upper-house amendment. Thanks, all CSOs and @CPA_Horn particularly on this efforts. @SONSAF2 @UNDPSomalia @kindernothilfe @Solidaarisuus70 @amplifyfund @hrcsomaliland pic.twitter.com/vZKJ29i8me
— NAFIS Network (@NAFIS_NETWORK) July 29, 2018
Under the bill, an attempted rape conviction would carry a four to a seven-year jail sentence.
An individual who rapes a victim using force or threats would get 15 to 20 years. If the victim is under the age of 15, the perpetrator gets 20 to 25 years.
Attackers who cause bodily harm or infect their victim with HIV in addition to committing rape would receive life in prison.
An increasing number of reported rape cases are related to gang rape.
Gang rape was not mentioned in the existing penal code, but the new bill has a specific provision for gang rape which carries 20 to 25 years imprisonment.
Guleid Ahmed Jama, the Human Rights Centre in Somaliland welcomed the passage of the bill which was also approved in June by the Guurti.
“The House of Representatives made a history by approving Rape Bill and rejecting changes made by the Guurti,” he said in his twitter account, “This means the House approved the Bill in its original format by overturning Guurti amendments. The Bill will go to the President to sign it into a law.”
#Somaliland: today the House of Representatives made a history by approving Rape Bill and rejecting changes made by the Guurti. This means the House approved the Bill in its original format by overturning Guurti amendments. The Bill will go to the President to sign it into a law.
— Guleid Ahmed Jama (@GuleidJ) July 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/Metknu/status/1023506500264841216
A Remarkable, brave and pioneering political move that uses the democratic process to criminalise gender based violence being settled by “tribal law”. Well done. A shining example for others to follow https://t.co/k2I5Os0j2f
— Rageh Omaar (@ragehomaar) July 29, 2018
Somaliland Human Rights Center said rape is one of the least reported crimes in Somaliland. It said that in 2017, 81 rape cases were prosecuted, a small number compared to the number of alleged victims.
Somaliland declared itself independent from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised as a country.
There is still no specific law against rape in Somalia, although it is punishable through a penal code that recognises some sexual offences.
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