Pakistan has two Anti-rape ordinances namely the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 and the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2020 for introducing stringent actions against rapists.
Key Points
- These ordinances aim to introduce strict punishments like chemical castration for rapists and setting up of special courts for trials in rape cases.
- Cabinet Committee on Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) of the country will now finalize the ordinances and make them operational.
- It is for the first time that the definition of Rape has also been changed in the country by inclusion of terms like gang rape’ and transgender.
- The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, will amend Section 375 of the Pakistan Penal Code to change the definition of rape in the country.
- As of now, as per Pakistani laws, a rape is said to be occurred if a women less than 15 years engages in sex with or without consent.
- The establishment of special courts and anti-rape crisis cells will be done under the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2020. Anti-rape cells will be created to ensure quick FIR, medical examination, etc.
- This law will also prohibit doctors from the controversial two-finger test which is done in rape cases.
- The law will also protect the complainant and their families and also has a provision of in-camera trials.
- The data related to same sex offenders will also be maintained by the country’s National Database & Registration Authority.
These two anti-rape ordinances are landmark in the history of the country and will ensure proper punishment for offenders along with the safety of victims.
