Cabinet to discuss controversial rape article in Penal Code

AMMAN — The Cabinet is scheduled to conclude discussions on a petition to scrap Article 308 of the Penal Code on Sunday, the Sisterhood is Global Institute (SIGI) said Saturday. Article 308 stipulates that rapists, molesters and individuals engaged in consensual sex with girls under the age of 18 are spared punishment or legal prosecution if they marry their victims and stay with them for three years (in misdemeanour convictions) or five years (criminal conviction).

The Cabinet is discussing this issue after SIGI and the civil coalition demanding the cancellation of Article 308 of the Penal Code sent a memorandum regarding the issue to Basil Tarawneh, the government’s coordinator on human rights, in mid-December. The memorandum included the findings of a study highlighting Jordanians’ views of the provision, in addition to recommended amendments.