Members of House of Elders in the breakaway Somaliland on Saturday endorsed anti-rape 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, was approved by 37 Guurti (elders), 9 members rejected while seven of the 51 elders abstained.
It only waits the the president of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi to sign into law before it officially begins the long-awaited process to probe and prosecute the perpetrators and all offenders of gender-based violence against women.
Among punishments under the bill are, life impersonation 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.
Compensation and resolving of the cases of rape internally or outside court were outlawed as it criminalizes mediation and other attempts to solve rape cases outside courts.
A person or an elder who is found guilty of solving rape cases outside court will face three years in prison or $4000 fine or both, according to the news which is highly welcomed by the human rights and Women rights activists in Somaliland.
If signed into law, the bill is expected to reduce the number of rape cases in the region and make Somaliland the first regional state in Somalia to outlaw rape.
In 2017, Over 80 rape cases were recorded across Somaliland towns and villages Somaliland Human Right Centre
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