Ouahbi wants to abolish extenuating circumstances for child rapists

The extenuating circumstances that have benefited many minor rapists in recent years will soon be abolished, according to Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi.

On Monday, in the House of Representatives, the Minister said that the decision comes in the wake of the recent case pedophilic rape of a young 11 year old Tiflt resident.

Responding to an oral question during in the House of Representatives on reduced sentences for rape of minors, the Minister announced a decision should be expected soon by Moroccans.

“We have decided to abolish the extenuating circumstances for rape of minors. This has no sense and no reason to be. Therefore, there is no possibility to reduce the sentences against child rapists,” said Ouahbi.

“The child who are victims of rape should not have to compromise, and their parents have no right to give up the case when it comes to the rights of their children,” he said, rejecting all arrangements made in favor of pedophile rapists, who have so far used several ways to avoid maximum penalties provided by Moroccan law.

In addition, to monitor and accompany minor victims of rape, Ouahbi said that his department was working with the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family to develop a vision for the creation of shelters for victims.

“The associations are there to accompany these victims, but this may not be done in the long term. In order not to risk leaving these children abandoned, the Ministry is working on a vision, with the Department of Family, to create shelters throughout Morocco,” he stressed.

The Minister of Justice was among the many people who reacted and expressed their shock at the initial verdict in first instance in the 11 year old’s case.

The little girl was assaulted by 3 adults, which had led to a pregnancy, and for which the culprits received a mere 2 year prison sentence each.

Ouahbi promised a severe penalty for crimes of rape against minors in the new penal code that must be revised in line with the real and new realities of Moroccan society.

“The tragedy of this young child’s rape was a real thunderclap, hence the need to question all efforts made in this direction, as leaders, as actors and as civil society,” he said upon the beard it announcement.

Ouahbi had said that his department is relentless in its determination to toughen the penalties in the new draft penal code, with the aim of protecting children from rape, drug use and other violence and abuse to which they may be subjected.

The case caused a stir in Morocco, and as it went through appeal, justice prevailed, as the culprits each were sentenced to 10 years, with the biological father and assailant having to job serve a 20 year prison sentence.