Jordan repeals rape law, that prevents punishment if they marry their victims

Jordanian parliament voted to revoke an article of the country's penal code which allows a rapist to escape punishment for his crime so long as he marries the victim.

A royal judiciary committee advocated the abolishment of Article 308 - which shields rape, statutory rape and kidnap perpetrators from prosecution if they marry the survivor - back in February.

Parliament had a choice on either repealing or amending the law in a vote, but moved to get rid of it altogether, destroying all legal loopholes which let rapists escape the consequences of their crimes. The decision is expected to be approved by the upper house, and then ratified by King Abdullah II.

UCJ, UNILORIN.