Jordanian parliament scraps law that prevent rapist from punishment

Jordanian members of parliament have voted to scrap a law enabling rapists to avoid punishment if they marry their victim.

The lower house backed the removal of a controversial clause known as article 308. Right activities have long campaigned to abolish the provision, whose proponents argued protected victims from the social stigma of rape.The decision must still be approved by Jordan’s upper house and ratified by the king before it takes effect.

Jordan is one of a declining handful of countries in the region with such loopholes in its penal code. Last week Tunisian revoked a similar provision for rapists there, while Lebanon is also considering following suit.