‘Gov’t to scrap controversial Article 308 completely by end of April’

AMMAN — The president of the Legislation and Opinion Bureau recently announced the government’s intent to “completely scrap” Article 308 of the Penal code before the end of April, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Article 308 stipulates that rapists, molesters and individuals engaged in sex with girls under the age of 18 are spared punishment or legal prosecution if they marry their victims and remain married for three years (in misdemeanour convictions) or five years (criminal convictions).

But the government recently amended the article, scrapping pardon in cases of rape, even if the perpetrator offered to marry the victim, yet still allowing perpetrators of sexual assaults to escape punishment if the victim was between the ages of 15 and 18, and the relations was consensual. The decision was welcomed by the Sisterhood Is Global Institute on Tuesday.

The Jordanian Civil Coalition to Cancel 308, which now includes 106 organisations, also welcomed the decision.