Jordan scraps controversial rape law

Dubai: A law which protected rapists from punishment if they married their victims has been scrapped in Jordan.

The Jordanian cabinet revoked Article 308 on Sunday, after years of campaigning by women’s activists.

The law had meant rapists could avoid a jail term in return for marrying their victim for at least three years.

Its supporters said the law protected a victim’s so-called honour and reputation.

But last year, it was amended so a rapist could only use the loophole to marry his victim if she was aged between 15 and 18 and the attack was believed to have been consensual.

Then in February, a royal committee suggested the law should be scrapped in its entirety.

Muslim and Christian scholars also helped to repeal the discriminatory law.

Activists had said that such ‘protection’ is, more often than not, a second trauma for victims.

Lebanese MPs are also working to pass a proposal to scrap Article 522 of the penal code — which allows rapists to escape punishment by marrying the victim.