Several human rights associations strongly condemned the “soft” sentences handed down to three sex predators who raped and impregnated a girl aged 12 in Tifelt (Northwestern Morocco).
The court convicted two defendants to two years in jail (with remission), and the third who caused the pregnancy to two years behind bars with no remission.
The court also decided to grant the defendants mitigating circumstances, given their social circumstances and lack of prior criminal records.
In response, the Women’s Action Union wrote an open letter, Saturday, to the president delegate of the Higher Judiciary Council and the head of the Public Prosecution Office, denouncing the ruling against the rapists and considering it a mere slap on the wrist.
The Union warned that such sentencing would “contribute to impunity, normalize rape and encourage sexual assault against women and girls.”
For its part, the Spring of Dignity Coalition called for a symbolic sit-in in front of the Rabat Appeal Court to condemn the fact that courts are going easy on sex offenders.
Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi said that he was shocked by the verdict against the suspects.
“We are determined in the Justice Ministry to tighten penalties, under the new draft criminal law, to protect children from rape, drug abuse and other assaults,” added Ouahbi.
The ruling also sparked anger and criticism on social media as internet users all over the country are calling for justice for the victim and her family.