Bahrain Parliament Abolishes Law Exempting Rapists from Punishment upon Marriage

In a significant step, Bahrain's parliament has voted to eliminate a law that granted rapists exemption from punishment if they married their victims. The decision has been hailed by women's rights activists, who tirelessly campaigned against this legislation for several years. 

The unanimous vote to remove Article 353 from Bahrain's penal code was carried out by the Shoura Council, the upper house of parliament. This article had previously allowed perpetrators of rape or sexual assault to evade legal consequences by marrying their victims.

During the weekly parliamentary session, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments



Nawaf Al Maawada stated, "Rapists will not escape punishment. Bahrain is a country with a traditional Muslim culture that respects multiple religions."

Bahrain joins a growing list of countries in the Middle East and North Africa region that have either abolished or amended their penal codes to prevent rapists from evading prosecution through marriage. Lebanon, Jordan, and Tunisia took similar strides in 2017, rescinding comparable laws within their respective nations. The move is anticipated to have a far-reaching impact on societal norms and the advancement of women's rights in the region.