Latest items for LRW-LAW-4
Feb. 2, 2026, 2:10 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The lawyer stated that early marriage is [translation] "exceptional" in Algeria and that it may happen only following the rape of a minor girl, when the rapist marries the victim using the Penal Code provision that provides for this situation (Lawyer 1 Aug. 2022). According to the same source, early marriage is also possible when the family demands it after consensual sex between two minors; however, in such a case, a judge's authorization and the consent of both minors concerned are required" (para 12).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The lawyer stated that early marriage is [translation] "exceptional" in Algeria and that it may happen only following the rape of a minor girl, when the rapist marries the victim using the Penal Code provision that provides for this situation (Lawyer 1 Aug. 2022). According to the same source, early marriage is also possible when the family demands it after consensual sex between two minors; however, in such a case, a judge's authorization and the consent of both minors concerned are required" (para 12).
Feb. 2, 2026, 2:02 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Article 326 of the Criminal Code states that anyone who, without violence or threat, ‘abducts’ or ‘kidnaps’ a minor under 18 years of age is liable to 5 years’ imprisonment. However, rapists can avoid prosecution by marrying their teenage victims and if the girl’s family does not press charges. At present, a whole reflection is underway on this subject, and more particularly on the abrogation of this article 326. Once this is done, judges will have to refer to the prohibition of marriage before the age of 19 and the obligation of consent of the spouses. At present, judges have to produce an order each time they want to authorize...more
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Article 326 of the Criminal Code states that anyone who, without violence or threat, ‘abducts’ or ‘kidnaps’ a minor under 18 years of age is liable to 5 years’ imprisonment. However, rapists can avoid prosecution by marrying their teenage victims and if the girl’s family does not press charges. At present, a whole reflection is underway on this subject, and more particularly on the abrogation of this article 326. Once this is done, judges will have to refer to the prohibition of marriage before the age of 19 and the obligation of consent of the spouses. At present, judges have to produce an order each time they want to authorize...more
Feb. 2, 2026, 9:15 a.m.
Countries: Kuwait
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Kuwait still allows a perpetrator to legally marry his victim with the permission of her guardian" (para 7).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Kuwait still allows a perpetrator to legally marry his victim with the permission of her guardian" (para 7).
Feb. 2, 2026, 9:13 a.m.
Countries: Morocco
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-3, LRW-LAW-4
"[T]he ['marry your rapist'] law in Morocco was repealed following widespread outrage when a young woman killed herself after she was forced to marry her rapist" (para 6).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-3, LRW-LAW-4
"[T]he ['marry your rapist'] law in Morocco was repealed following widespread outrage when a young woman killed herself after she was forced to marry her rapist" (para 6).
Feb. 2, 2026, 9:12 a.m.
Countries: Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Tunisia
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"[T]he ['marry your rapist'] law in Morocco was repealed following widespread outrage when a young woman killed herself after she was forced to marry her rapist. Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Tunisia followed suit" (para 6).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"[T]he ['marry your rapist'] law in Morocco was repealed following widespread outrage when a young woman killed herself after she was forced to marry her rapist. Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Tunisia followed suit" (para 6).
Feb. 2, 2026, 9:11 a.m.
Countries: Thailand, Venezuela
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Russia, Thailand and Venezuela are among the countries that allow men to have rape convictions overturned if they marry the women or girls they have assaulted" (para 2).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Russia, Thailand and Venezuela are among the countries that allow men to have rape convictions overturned if they marry the women or girls they have assaulted" (para 2).
Feb. 2, 2026, 9:09 a.m.
Countries: Russia
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Russia, Thailand and Venezuela are among the countries that allow men to have rape convictions overturned if they marry the women or girls they have assaulted" (para 2). "In Russia, if the perpetrator has reached 18 and has committed statutory rape with a minor below 16, he is exempt from punishment if he marries the victim" (para 7).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Russia, Thailand and Venezuela are among the countries that allow men to have rape convictions overturned if they marry the women or girls they have assaulted" (para 2). "In Russia, if the perpetrator has reached 18 and has committed statutory rape with a minor below 16, he is exempt from punishment if he marries the victim" (para 7).
Feb. 1, 2026, 9:34 p.m.
Countries: Palestine
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-3, LRW-LAW-4
"Palestine abolished its 'marry your rapist' law in 2018, Hamas has continued to force women living in the Gaza Strip, where it is the de facto governing authority, to marry their rapists" (20).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-3, LRW-LAW-4
"Palestine abolished its 'marry your rapist' law in 2018, Hamas has continued to force women living in the Gaza Strip, where it is the de facto governing authority, to marry their rapists" (20).
Feb. 1, 2026, 8:28 p.m.
Countries: Afghanistan, Ethiopia, India, Somalia
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-3, LRW-LAW-4
"Though ‘marry-your-rapist’ laws now only exist in a tenth of the countries in the world, the absence of such a law doesn’t always translate to the end of such practices. There is a gulf between de jure provisions and de facto practices. In countries like India, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Somaliland, where no such laws exist, the practice still continues" (para 10).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-3, LRW-LAW-4
"Though ‘marry-your-rapist’ laws now only exist in a tenth of the countries in the world, the absence of such a law doesn’t always translate to the end of such practices. There is a gulf between de jure provisions and de facto practices. In countries like India, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Somaliland, where no such laws exist, the practice still continues" (para 10).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:27 p.m.
Countries: Egypt
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. Article 267 of the penal code law No. 58 of 1937 criminalizes rape. Articles 268 and 269 criminalize indecent assaults. Article 291 of the penal code that allowed the rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims, was repealed in 1999" (para 4).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. Article 267 of the penal code law No. 58 of 1937 criminalizes rape. Articles 268 and 269 criminalize indecent assaults. Article 291 of the penal code that allowed the rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims, was repealed in 1999" (para 4).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:27 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. The penal code No. 66-156 of 1966 criminalizes rape. If the rape was committed against a minor, the sentence is tightened. However, article 326 of the penal code exonerates a man who abducts a girl under 18 without violence, threat, or deception if he later marries her. If the victim marries her abductor, the offender can only be prosecuted if the marriage is annulled" (para 3).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. The penal code No. 66-156 of 1966 criminalizes rape. If the rape was committed against a minor, the sentence is tightened. However, article 326 of the penal code exonerates a man who abducts a girl under 18 without violence, threat, or deception if he later marries her. If the victim marries her abductor, the offender can only be prosecuted if the marriage is annulled" (para 3).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:27 p.m.
Countries: Jordan
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. Article 308 of the penal code that allowed the rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims, was repealed in 2017" (para 5).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. Article 308 of the penal code that allowed the rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims, was repealed in 2017" (para 5).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:27 p.m.
Countries: Lebanon
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. Article 522 which allowed men, who had been convicted of committing sexual assault to avoid penalty if a valid contract of marriage could be provided, was repealed in 2017" (para 6).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. Article 522 which allowed men, who had been convicted of committing sexual assault to avoid penalty if a valid contract of marriage could be provided, was repealed in 2017" (para 6).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:27 p.m.
Countries: Palestine
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. Rape is criminalized by article 152 of the penal code of 1936 in Gaza Strip and article 292 of the penal code of 1960 in the West Bank. In the West Bank, article 308 of the penal code, which allowed the rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims, was repealed in 2018" (para 8).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. Rape is criminalized by article 152 of the penal code of 1936 in Gaza Strip and article 292 of the penal code of 1960 in the West Bank. In the West Bank, article 308 of the penal code, which allowed the rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims, was repealed in 2018" (para 8).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:27 p.m.
Countries: Morocco
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. In 2014, article 475 of the penal code, that allowed rapists of underage girls to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims, was repealed" (para 7).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. In 2014, article 475 of the penal code, that allowed rapists of underage girls to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims, was repealed" (para 7).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:27 p.m.
Countries: Tunisia
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. In 2017 the provisions that enabled impunity for sexual intercourse with a minor with her consent were also repealed in the penal code (Article 227 bis) as well as for escaping with a minor (Article 239)" (para 9).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The rapist is penalized regardless of the acceptance to marry the victim. In 2017 the provisions that enabled impunity for sexual intercourse with a minor with her consent were also repealed in the penal code (Article 227 bis) as well as for escaping with a minor (Article 239)" (para 9).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:05 p.m.
Countries: Tunisia
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"In Algeria and Tunisia the law still allows rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their teenage victims; Article 326 of the Algerian Penal Code and Article 227 of the Tunisian Penal Code lets perpetrators of such sexual violence walk free" (para 7).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"In Algeria and Tunisia the law still allows rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their teenage victims; Article 326 of the Algerian Penal Code and Article 227 of the Tunisian Penal Code lets perpetrators of such sexual violence walk free" (para 7).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:04 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"In Algeria and Tunisia the law still allows rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their teenage victims; Article 326 of the Algerian Penal Code and Article 227 of the Tunisian Penal Code lets perpetrators of such sexual violence walk free" (para 7).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"In Algeria and Tunisia the law still allows rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their teenage victims; Article 326 of the Algerian Penal Code and Article 227 of the Tunisian Penal Code lets perpetrators of such sexual violence walk free" (para 7).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The Iraqi Penal Code of 1969, Article 398, excuses rapists from punishment if they marry their victims for a minimum period of three years. The same provision applies in cases of abduction" (2). "Notably, the Iraqi Penal Code permits perpetrators of sexual assault to evade prosecution by marrying their victims, which also increases the risk of forced marriages" (9). "Article 398... absolves perpetrators of rape from punishment if they marry their victims" (9).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The Iraqi Penal Code of 1969, Article 398, excuses rapists from punishment if they marry their victims for a minimum period of three years. The same provision applies in cases of abduction" (2). "Notably, the Iraqi Penal Code permits perpetrators of sexual assault to evade prosecution by marrying their victims, which also increases the risk of forced marriages" (9). "Article 398... absolves perpetrators of rape from punishment if they marry their victims" (9).
March 15, 2025, 11:45 a.m.
Countries: Lebanon
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The adoption of Law No. 53, which repeals article 522 of the Penal Code, which exempted a rapist from punishment upon marrying the victim" (2).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The adoption of Law No. 53, which repeals article 522 of the Penal Code, which exempted a rapist from punishment upon marrying the victim" (2).
March 13, 2025, 3:54 p.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Article 353 of the Penal Code exempts rapists from prosecution and punishment if they marry their victims. In this regard, in 2016, parliament moved to repeal the entire article, but the cabinet of the GoB [government of Bahrain] rejected the proposal" (7).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Article 353 of the Penal Code exempts rapists from prosecution and punishment if they marry their victims. In this regard, in 2016, parliament moved to repeal the entire article, but the cabinet of the GoB [government of Bahrain] rejected the proposal" (7).
Feb. 26, 2025, 10:15 p.m.
Countries: Kazakhstan
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Article 70 enables a perpetrator to be released from criminal responsibility due to change of circumstances, such as if it is established that at the time of the trial, the perpetrator ceased to be 'socially dangerous'. This provision has often been abused to exonerate the perpetrators of sexual violence from responsibility after marriage to the victim" (4).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Article 70 enables a perpetrator to be released from criminal responsibility due to change of circumstances, such as if it is established that at the time of the trial, the perpetrator ceased to be 'socially dangerous'. This provision has often been abused to exonerate the perpetrators of sexual violence from responsibility after marriage to the victim" (4).
Feb. 11, 2025, 9:54 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The Penal Code also allows perpetrators of rape or sexual assault to escape prosecution or have their sentences quashed if they marry their victim" (5).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The Penal Code also allows perpetrators of rape or sexual assault to escape prosecution or have their sentences quashed if they marry their victim" (5).
Feb. 6, 2025, 7:05 p.m.
Countries: Morocco
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Paragraph 2 of article 475 of the Criminal Code has been amended to allow the criminal prosecution of anyone who rapes a minor girl and prohibit him from marrying her" (3).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Paragraph 2 of article 475 of the Criminal Code has been amended to allow the criminal prosecution of anyone who rapes a minor girl and prohibit him from marrying her" (3).
Jan. 18, 2025, 3:28 p.m.
Countries: France
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"They [defense lawyers] questioned her about her sex life – whether she [Gisèle Pelico, rape victim], was a swinger, an exhibitionist, an alcoholic, a manipulated and subjugated wife. One asked why she had not appeared angrier with her former husband, and why she had not cried more in court" (32).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"They [defense lawyers] questioned her about her sex life – whether she [Gisèle Pelico, rape victim], was a swinger, an exhibitionist, an alcoholic, a manipulated and subjugated wife. One asked why she had not appeared angrier with her former husband, and why she had not cried more in court" (32).
Jan. 9, 2025, 4:59 p.m.
Countries: Italy
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Article 544 of the Italian criminal code recognized a kind of marriage, the matrimonio riparatore, that would forgive the man for his crime and restore to the 'damaged' victim her honor and that of her family. Should she refuse to marry her abductor, the young woman would be further victimized as an unmarriagable outcast somehow to blame for her unfortunate circumstances" (para 6). "Article 544, allowing a rapist to marry his victim for reparation, was finally repealed in 1981" (para 16).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"Article 544 of the Italian criminal code recognized a kind of marriage, the matrimonio riparatore, that would forgive the man for his crime and restore to the 'damaged' victim her honor and that of her family. Should she refuse to marry her abductor, the young woman would be further victimized as an unmarriagable outcast somehow to blame for her unfortunate circumstances" (para 6). "Article 544, allowing a rapist to marry his victim for reparation, was finally repealed in 1981" (para 16).
Sept. 7, 2023, 12:33 p.m.
Countries: Lebanon
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"ABAAD successfully campaigned in 2017 to abolish an article that stated a rapist could marry their victim to avoid prosecution" (para 32).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"ABAAD successfully campaigned in 2017 to abolish an article that stated a rapist could marry their victim to avoid prosecution" (para 32).
June 27, 2023, 11:16 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"A provision of the penal code allows an adult accused of 'corruption of a minor' to avoid prosecution if the accused subsequently marries his or her victim and if the crime did not involve violence, threats, or fraud" (27).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"A provision of the penal code allows an adult accused of 'corruption of a minor' to avoid prosecution if the accused subsequently marries his or her victim and if the crime did not involve violence, threats, or fraud" (27).
March 31, 2023, 2:31 p.m.
Countries: Egypt
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
[T]the Penal Code, particularly articles 17 and 60, justify and condone acts of violence against women by requiring that battery exceed 'accepted limits of discipline' for it to be successfully prosecuted, providing for the 'good faith' defence that absolves men from criminal responsibility in domestic violence cases" (6).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
[T]the Penal Code, particularly articles 17 and 60, justify and condone acts of violence against women by requiring that battery exceed 'accepted limits of discipline' for it to be successfully prosecuted, providing for the 'good faith' defence that absolves men from criminal responsibility in domestic violence cases" (6).
Feb. 5, 2023, 7:50 p.m.
Countries: Qatar
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"She was put in front of the man she had accused and questioned for three hours in Arabic. He was acquitted on charges of assault because there were ‘no cameras’ showing it, but she remained accused, and was warned by her lawyers that one of the only ways to avoid a conviction would be to marry her alleged attacker." (para 12).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"She was put in front of the man she had accused and questioned for three hours in Arabic. He was acquitted on charges of assault because there were ‘no cameras’ showing it, but she remained accused, and was warned by her lawyers that one of the only ways to avoid a conviction would be to marry her alleged attacker." (para 12).