Somaliland Passes Its First Law Against Rape

Rapists can now get a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

Somaliland Passes Its First Law Against Rape

Somaliland, which was declared an independent country from Somali in 1991, just passed its first law against rape, BBC reports.


Rapists can now get a prison sentence of up to 30 years. Prior to the law being passed, a rape victim's family could force them to marry their rapist to avoid being shamed.

As much as it's shocking that this law is only being passed now, it's worth noting that there is still no law against rape in Somalia.

The law being passed in Somaliland is a result of children and women's rights groups lobbying for it.

​Photo illustration by Kaushik Kalidindi, Okayplayer.
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