Latest items for LRW-LAW-4
May 28, 2026, 11:35 a.m.
Countries: Belgium
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
There is no exoneration in Belgian law allowing an individual accused of rape to have their criminal charges dismissed or overturned by subsequently marrying the victim (LEN - CODER COMMENT).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
There is no exoneration in Belgian law allowing an individual accused of rape to have their criminal charges dismissed or overturned by subsequently marrying the victim (LEN - CODER COMMENT).
May 28, 2026, 11:28 a.m.
Countries: Belarus
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
There is no exoneration in Belarusian law allowing an individual accused of rape to have their criminal charges dismissed or overturned by subsequently marrying the victim (LEN - CODER COMMENT).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
There is no exoneration in Belarusian law allowing an individual accused of rape to have their criminal charges dismissed or overturned by subsequently marrying the victim (LEN - CODER COMMENT).
May 28, 2026, 11:20 a.m.
Countries: Barbados
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
There is no exoneration in Barbados allowing an individual accused of rape to have their criminal charges dismissed or overturned by subsequently marrying the victim (LEN - CODER COMMENT).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
There is no exoneration in Barbados allowing an individual accused of rape to have their criminal charges dismissed or overturned by subsequently marrying the victim (LEN - CODER COMMENT).
May 28, 2026, 10:19 a.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"A Supreme Court lawyer has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking directives on the government to ban the practice of marrying rape victims to their rapists — saying that it normalises sexual violence. Advocate Md Rakibul Hassan, a resident of Sirajganj, submitted the public interest litigation today, arguing that such marriages undermine the rule of law and perpetuate the culture of impunity for heinous crimes like rape. In his petition, Rakibul requested the High Court to issue a rule asking the authorities to explain why their inaction in preventing these marriages should not be declared illegal" (para 1-3).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"A Supreme Court lawyer has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking directives on the government to ban the practice of marrying rape victims to their rapists — saying that it normalises sexual violence. Advocate Md Rakibul Hassan, a resident of Sirajganj, submitted the public interest litigation today, arguing that such marriages undermine the rule of law and perpetuate the culture of impunity for heinous crimes like rape. In his petition, Rakibul requested the High Court to issue a rule asking the authorities to explain why their inaction in preventing these marriages should not be declared illegal" (para 1-3).
May 28, 2026, 9:51 a.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"'There are many such cases where victims marry their rapists to settle the case out of court,' Bilkis said. But under the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Act, rape is a non-compoundable offence—meaning it cannot legally be resolved through compromise or negotiation" (para 8).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"'There are many such cases where victims marry their rapists to settle the case out of court,' Bilkis said. But under the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Act, rape is a non-compoundable offence—meaning it cannot legally be resolved through compromise or negotiation" (para 8).
April 6, 2026, 12:01 p.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"On June 26, the king signed legislation to repeal a penal code provision that had allowed rapists to evade criminal prosecution if they agreed to marry their victims. Regional media reported the change was welcomed by women’s rights activists, who had fought for years to eliminate the provision" (34).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"On June 26, the king signed legislation to repeal a penal code provision that had allowed rapists to evade criminal prosecution if they agreed to marry their victims. Regional media reported the change was welcomed by women’s rights activists, who had fought for years to eliminate the provision" (34).
April 6, 2026, 11:49 a.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"On 28 June, the Kingdom of Bahrain officially abolished a 'controversial' law that had allowed rapists to escape prosecutions if they agreed to marry their victims. The scrapped Article 353 of the 1976 Penal Code of Bahrain stated that 'no penalty shall be imposed on a person who commits one of the (sexual) crimes stipulated in the preceding articles if a valid marriage is concluded between him and the victim'. It also stated that 'if a final judgment is issued against him before the marriage contract is concluded, its execution shall be suspended, and its side effects shall end'" (para 1-3).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"On 28 June, the Kingdom of Bahrain officially abolished a 'controversial' law that had allowed rapists to escape prosecutions if they agreed to marry their victims. The scrapped Article 353 of the 1976 Penal Code of Bahrain stated that 'no penalty shall be imposed on a person who commits one of the (sexual) crimes stipulated in the preceding articles if a valid marriage is concluded between him and the victim'. It also stated that 'if a final judgment is issued against him before the marriage contract is concluded, its execution shall be suspended, and its side effects shall end'" (para 1-3).
Feb. 8, 2026, 6:58 p.m.
Countries: Angola, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Venezuela
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The report [by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)] reveals that in 20 countries or territories such as Angola, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Philippines, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Venezuela the so-called 'marry-your-rapist' laws still continue" (para 10).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"The report [by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)] reveals that in 20 countries or territories such as Angola, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Philippines, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Venezuela the so-called 'marry-your-rapist' laws still continue" (para 10).
Feb. 8, 2026, 6:15 p.m.
Countries: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Cameroon, Iraq, Kuwait, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Thailand
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"[M]any countries continue to have the so-called 'marry your rapist' laws, namely, laws that enable perpetrators to marry their victims and so avoid any penalties for their crime. Indeed, in April 2021, the U.N. Population Fund published a report indicating that this is still the case even today in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Philippines, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan and Thailand, Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, among others" (para 5).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"[M]any countries continue to have the so-called 'marry your rapist' laws, namely, laws that enable perpetrators to marry their victims and so avoid any penalties for their crime. Indeed, in April 2021, the U.N. Population Fund published a report indicating that this is still the case even today in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Philippines, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan and Thailand, Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, among others" (para 5).
Feb. 8, 2026, 5:07 p.m.
Countries: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bolivia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Venezuela
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"But 'marry-your-rapist' laws still exist in Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bolivia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gaza, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga and Venezuela, according to NGO Equality Now" (para 13).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
"But 'marry-your-rapist' laws still exist in Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bolivia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gaza, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga and Venezuela, according to NGO Equality Now" (para 13).
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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).