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Turkey backpedals on statutory rape proposal

Turkey is reconsidering — but not abandoning — a law that would treat perpetrators of statutory rape as "victims," which some fear could open the door to polygamy, honor killings and legalizing marriage at puberty.
Protesters show their painted hands during a protest against a proposal, that would have allowed sentencing in cases of sexual abuse committed "without force, threat or trick" before Nov. 16, 2016 to be indefinitely postponed if the perpetrator marries the victim, in front of the Turkish Parlaiment in Ankara, Turkey, November 22, 2016. Banners read, "Keep your hands off from a child's body" (L) and "Don't protect the rapists (R)" REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTSSRKA

After an outcry heard around the world, Turkey decided Nov. 22 to reconsider a proposal that, in some cases, would pardon rapists of underage girls if no physical force was involved.

On Nov. 17, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkey made a proposal to parliament that would pardon men charged with statutory rape prior to Nov. 16 if they have married or agree to marry their victims. Once the bill was shared with the press, there was an uproar on social media, and although public gatherings and demonstrations are illegal under the emergency law in Turkey, women organized several protest marches around the country.

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