Chandigarh: The two anti-rape ordinances, approved in principle by the Pakistan Cabinet, recommended chemical castration and hanging to death of the rapist or rapists, the report said.
To combat rising cases of sexual attacks on women and children in Pakistan, the federal Cabinet has approved in-principle two anti-rape ordinances aimed at handing out exemplary punishment, including chemical castration and hanging, to rapists, according to a media report.
The anti-rape ordinances change the basic definition of rape and suggest severe punishment for gang rape and hanging of rapists, says Information Minister Shibli Faraz
The proposed laws also prohibit the controversial two-finger test performed on rape survivors. The World Health Organisation has already declared the test as unscientific, medically unnecessary, and unreliable. Human Rights groups have also termed the test as invasive, disrespectful, and a gross violation of a woman’s right to dignity and privacy.
A Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Tuesday also decided to change the definition of rape, the Dawn News reported on Wednesday.
The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance 2020 and Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 would be finalised in a week to be promulgated, Information Minister Shibli Faraz said.
Hailing the “big decision”, Mr. Faraz said the anti-rape ordinances changed the basic definition of rape and suggested severe punishment for gang rape and hanging of rapists.
For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the definition of rape has been changed by incorporating “transgender” and “gang-rape” in it, the report said.
Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari tweeted, “Cabinet Committee on Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) will now finalise (the ordinances) and it should become operational in next few days. It includes an expansive definition of rape, the establishment of the special court, anti-rape crisis cell, protection of victims and witnesses.
The proposed laws also prohibit the controversial two-finger test performed on rape survivors. The World Health Organisation has already declared the test as unscientific, medically unnecessary, and unreliable. Human Rights groups have also termed the test as invasive, disrespectful, and a gross violation of a woman’s right to dignity and privacy.
Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry termed the approval of the ordinances a landmark achievement of the government.