TURKEY WITHDRAWS CHILD RAPE BILL AFTER STREET PROTESTS

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38061785

Also Via Human Rights Without Frontiers

Serious protests in Ankara, Turkey, against proposed law. AP Photo

Turkey –  Prime Minister Withdraws Bill that Pardons Men Convicted of Sex with Underage Girls if They Marry Them.

22 November 2016 – The bill, part of a package of amendments to the legal system, was sent back for further work just hours before a final vote in parliament.

It had sparked protests across Turkish society and was condemned abroad.

Critics said it would legitimise statutory rape and encourage the practice of taking child brides.

UN agencies had called on the government not to approve the bill, arguing that it would damage the country’s ability to combat sexual abuse and child marriage.

But the government says the main aim is to exonerate men imprisoned for marrying an underage girl apparently with her or her family’s consent.

The draft law will now be returned to a commission which will take into account the views of the opposition and civil society, Mr Yildirim said.

This would allow for “broad consensus” and to “give time for the opposition parties to develop their proposals”.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38030182

Turkey –  Bill Would Clear Men of Statutory Rape if They Marry the Victim

AFP Photo – Critics are accusing the ruling AKP Party of legitimising rape.

18 November 2016 – A bill which would allow men accused of raping underage girls to be cleared if they marry the girl has been preliminarily backed by Turkish MPs.

The bill would pardon men only if they had sex without “force or threat” and if they married the victim.

Critics say it legitimises rape and child marriage, and lets off men who are aware of their crime.

Violence against women in Turkey has increased in the past decade – 40% of women report sexual or physical abuse.

Statistics also show the murder rate of women increased by 1,400% between 2003 and 2010.

The bill was initially approved on Thursday evening after being brought to parliament by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). On Tuesday, MPs will debate the bill a second time before casting their final vote.