Turkey’s ruling party under fire for ‘rape law’ / Turkey’s ruling party withdraws ‘rape law’

As a part of a 49-article draft amending the code of criminal procedure in Turkey the ruling AK Party (AKP) introduced a bill on the 17 November 2016 relating to the sexual abuse of minors.

The bill provoked opposition from opposition parties, civil rights and women's groups in the country, as well as some within the AKP as it would have resulted in pardons for some men who had assaulted underage girls if they then married their victims. Those opposed to the bill said it could be seen to legitimise rape.

On the 22 November 2016 the Turkish government withdrew the bill for further consideration, challenging its opponents to formulate an alternative measure.

ESO: Background information: Turks protest over murder of woman who resisted rape http://www.europeansources.info/record/turks-protest-over-murder-of-woman-who-resisted-rape/

Hürriyet Daily News, 22.11.16: Turkey’s ruling AKP withdraws controversial sexual abuse motion: PM Yıldırım http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-ruling-akp-withdraws-controversial-sexual-abuse-motion-pm-yildirim.aspx?pageID=238&nID=106402&NewsCatID=339

BBC News, 22.11.16: Turkish MPs to vote on controversial underage sex bill http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38061062

Deutsche Welle, 22.11.16: Turkey withdraws child rape amnesty bill http://dw.com/p/2T2ny

Euro|Topics: Debates, November 2016: Controversial abuse bill withdrawn in Turkey http://www.eurotopics.net/en/169878/controversial-abuse-bill-withdrawn-in-turkey

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