Latest items for Iraq
March 20, 2025, 2:49 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-8
"[F]ormer Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's first wife was his cousin Sajida Talfah" (para 31).
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-8
"[F]ormer Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's first wife was his cousin Sajida Talfah" (para 31).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: IRP-LAW-1
"Women who have escaped from trafficking have been convicted on charges of prostitution, which is illegal under Iraqi law" (6).
Variables: IRP-LAW-1
"Women who have escaped from trafficking have been convicted on charges of prostitution, which is illegal under Iraqi law" (6).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DTCP-PRACTICE-1
"Members of the police are also known to be perpetrators of gender-based violence. Sexual assault is frequently used during police interrogation as a method of extracting confessions and is also widespread within the detention system. Women who have escaped from trafficking have been convicted on charges of prostitution, which is illegal under Iraqi law, or for other offences such as possession of forged documents. The federal government has prevented NGOs from operating shelters, while making scant efforts to establish functioning government-run shelters. Many victims of trafficking who are serving prison sentences prefer to stay in prison past their sentences than to leave and risk being trafficked again or punished by...more
Variables: DTCP-PRACTICE-1
"Members of the police are also known to be perpetrators of gender-based violence. Sexual assault is frequently used during police interrogation as a method of extracting confessions and is also widespread within the detention system. Women who have escaped from trafficking have been convicted on charges of prostitution, which is illegal under Iraqi law, or for other offences such as possession of forged documents. The federal government has prevented NGOs from operating shelters, while making scant efforts to establish functioning government-run shelters. Many victims of trafficking who are serving prison sentences prefer to stay in prison past their sentences than to leave and risk being trafficked again or punished by...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DV-DATA-1
"The strengthening of patriarchal attitudes and militarisation under ISIS and the anti-ISIS campaign have also meant that Iraq has seen an increase in forms of family-based violence alongside a heightened insecurity in the streets. Women in Iraq generally face high levels of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual harassment, murders in the name of honour, forced and early marriage, and human trafficking" (2). "So-called ‘honour’ crimes in Iraq most often take the form of murder, but also encompass other forms of violence such as physical abuse, confinement, control of movement, deprivation of education, forced marriage, and public dishonouring. The practice of forced self-immolation is also prevalent. As...more
Variables: DV-DATA-1
"The strengthening of patriarchal attitudes and militarisation under ISIS and the anti-ISIS campaign have also meant that Iraq has seen an increase in forms of family-based violence alongside a heightened insecurity in the streets. Women in Iraq generally face high levels of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual harassment, murders in the name of honour, forced and early marriage, and human trafficking" (2). "So-called ‘honour’ crimes in Iraq most often take the form of murder, but also encompass other forms of violence such as physical abuse, confinement, control of movement, deprivation of education, forced marriage, and public dishonouring. The practice of forced self-immolation is also prevalent. As...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DV-LAW-1
"Article 41 of the Penal Code considers ‘the punishment of a wife by her husband … within certain limits prescribed by law or by custom’ to be a ‘legal right’ and therefore not a criminal act" (2). "The Government of Iraq (GoI) has yet to pass a law criminalizing domestic violence. The absence of such legislation, coupled with the above-mentioned elements of the existing legal framework which enable various forms of violence, leave survivors with few legal remedies. In 2017, Iraq’s parliament reviewed a draft Anti-Domestic Violence Law, first introduced in 2015. While this was an important development, the draft as originally presented contains a number of weaknesses that render...more
Variables: DV-LAW-1
"Article 41 of the Penal Code considers ‘the punishment of a wife by her husband … within certain limits prescribed by law or by custom’ to be a ‘legal right’ and therefore not a criminal act" (2). "The Government of Iraq (GoI) has yet to pass a law criminalizing domestic violence. The absence of such legislation, coupled with the above-mentioned elements of the existing legal framework which enable various forms of violence, leave survivors with few legal remedies. In 2017, Iraq’s parliament reviewed a draft Anti-Domestic Violence Law, first introduced in 2015. While this was an important development, the draft as originally presented contains a number of weaknesses that render...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DV-LAW-2
"There are also several issues with the [Kurdistan] Domestic Violence law itself. For example, it does not allow third parties to file complaints on behalf of victims, and some of the penalties in the law for acts of violence carried out by family members are lighter than the penalties prescribed for similar types of violence in the Iraqi Penal Code. A series of amendments to the law drafted by civil society organizations and think tanks have been presented to parliament, but have yet to be passed" (3).
Variables: DV-LAW-2
"There are also several issues with the [Kurdistan] Domestic Violence law itself. For example, it does not allow third parties to file complaints on behalf of victims, and some of the penalties in the law for acts of violence carried out by family members are lighter than the penalties prescribed for similar types of violence in the Iraqi Penal Code. A series of amendments to the law drafted by civil society organizations and think tanks have been presented to parliament, but have yet to be passed" (3).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-1
"The practice is legitimized in the Iraqi Penal Code, which allows mitigated sentences for perpetrators of crimes against women in which ‘honour’ was a motive, and prescribes the ‘punishment’ of a wife by her husband within limits to be a legal right. Despite the GoI’s [Government of Iraq] claim in its state report that ‘honourable motive’ is not exclusive to crimes against women but can also be cited for other crimes, in practice the provision disproportionately affects and discriminates against women who are considered to be the bearers of honour in society" (4).
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-1
"The practice is legitimized in the Iraqi Penal Code, which allows mitigated sentences for perpetrators of crimes against women in which ‘honour’ was a motive, and prescribes the ‘punishment’ of a wife by her husband within limits to be a legal right. Despite the GoI’s [Government of Iraq] claim in its state report that ‘honourable motive’ is not exclusive to crimes against women but can also be cited for other crimes, in practice the provision disproportionately affects and discriminates against women who are considered to be the bearers of honour in society" (4).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-2
"In the Kurdistan Region, domestic violence is criminalized under the Domestic Violence Act No. 8 of 2011, which is relatively comprehensive in its list of offences which constitute domestic violence. The law also established a system of government-run shelters for survivors of violence. The General Directorate to Combat Violence against Women (GDCVAW), a division of the Ministry of the Interior, has sub-directorates in each governorate responsible for receiving complaints and collecting data about violence against women. Despite progress made by Kurdistan’s authorities in combating violence against women, challenges remain. Admission to the government shelters requires a judicial order, which means that a victim of violence needs to initiate formal legal...more
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-2
"In the Kurdistan Region, domestic violence is criminalized under the Domestic Violence Act No. 8 of 2011, which is relatively comprehensive in its list of offences which constitute domestic violence. The law also established a system of government-run shelters for survivors of violence. The General Directorate to Combat Violence against Women (GDCVAW), a division of the Ministry of the Interior, has sub-directorates in each governorate responsible for receiving complaints and collecting data about violence against women. Despite progress made by Kurdistan’s authorities in combating violence against women, challenges remain. Admission to the government shelters requires a judicial order, which means that a victim of violence needs to initiate formal legal...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: ERBG-PRACTICE-1
"[F]emale-headed households face additional challenges following the death of the provider (a likely scenario for ISF or PMU employees), as they do not receive the salary of the deceased husband" (5). "By February 2015, approximately 33 per cent of displaced widows had not received any humanitarian assistance and 76 per cent did not receive a pension" (5-6). "[D]isabled women and girls are not entitled to social security payments if they are married or if their father is alive" (8).
Variables: ERBG-PRACTICE-1
"[F]emale-headed households face additional challenges following the death of the provider (a likely scenario for ISF or PMU employees), as they do not receive the salary of the deceased husband" (5). "By February 2015, approximately 33 per cent of displaced widows had not received any humanitarian assistance and 76 per cent did not receive a pension" (5-6). "[D]isabled women and girls are not entitled to social security payments if they are married or if their father is alive" (8).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: ERBG-PRACTICE-4
"Despite the information provided by the GoI [Government of Iraq] about loans granted to widows, the figures are extremely low compared to the number of widows and female-headed households impacted by the conflict" (6).
Variables: ERBG-PRACTICE-4
"Despite the information provided by the GoI [Government of Iraq] about loans granted to widows, the figures are extremely low compared to the number of widows and female-headed households impacted by the conflict" (6).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: GEW-DATA-1
"The rise of ISIS, which rapidly expanded across seven of Iraq’s 19 governates in 2014, and the ensuing mass displacement and campaign to eliminate the group from Iraq’s territories have had both direct and wider negative effects on women. Women were subjected to grave violations including sexual violence, slavery and killings. Minority women have been particularly vulnerable and targeted. At time of writing, the fate of over 3,000 Yezidi women and girls abducted by ISIS remains unknown" (2). "Since the last review, the GoI [Government of Iraq] has failed to take adequate measures to protect women in conflict. Women belonging to minorities, including Yezidis, Christians, Turkmen, Shabak, and others, have...more
Variables: GEW-DATA-1
"The rise of ISIS, which rapidly expanded across seven of Iraq’s 19 governates in 2014, and the ensuing mass displacement and campaign to eliminate the group from Iraq’s territories have had both direct and wider negative effects on women. Women were subjected to grave violations including sexual violence, slavery and killings. Minority women have been particularly vulnerable and targeted. At time of writing, the fate of over 3,000 Yezidi women and girls abducted by ISIS remains unknown" (2). "Since the last review, the GoI [Government of Iraq] has failed to take adequate measures to protect women in conflict. Women belonging to minorities, including Yezidis, Christians, Turkmen, Shabak, and others, have...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: GEW-PRACTICE-1
"Since the last review, the GoI [Government of Iraq] has failed to take adequate measures to protect women in conflict. Women belonging to minorities, including Yezidis, Christians, Turkmen, Shabak, and others, have been particularly affected. ISIS has perpetrated mass killings, arbitrary punishments, sexual violence and forced conversions. Women have been targeted and sold as sexual slaves or forcibly married to ISIS fighters and have been subjected to violations including rape, physical and verbal abuse, deprivation of basic necessities, and various forms of torture. In August 2014, ISIS killed approximately 3,100 Yezidis and kidnapped a further 6,800 to become sex slaves or fighters. As of February 2019, over 3,000 of those...more
Variables: GEW-PRACTICE-1
"Since the last review, the GoI [Government of Iraq] has failed to take adequate measures to protect women in conflict. Women belonging to minorities, including Yezidis, Christians, Turkmen, Shabak, and others, have been particularly affected. ISIS has perpetrated mass killings, arbitrary punishments, sexual violence and forced conversions. Women have been targeted and sold as sexual slaves or forcibly married to ISIS fighters and have been subjected to violations including rape, physical and verbal abuse, deprivation of basic necessities, and various forms of torture. In August 2014, ISIS killed approximately 3,100 Yezidis and kidnapped a further 6,800 to become sex slaves or fighters. As of February 2019, over 3,000 of those...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: GEW-PRACTICE-3
"Women have been targeted and sold as sexual slaves or forcibly married to ISIS fighters and have been subjected to violations including rape, physical and verbal abuse, deprivation of basic necessities, and various forms of torture" (5).
Variables: GEW-PRACTICE-3
"Women have been targeted and sold as sexual slaves or forcibly married to ISIS fighters and have been subjected to violations including rape, physical and verbal abuse, deprivation of basic necessities, and various forms of torture" (5).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: GP-DATA-1
"Minority women are barely represented in government and local authorities" (6).
Variables: GP-DATA-1
"Minority women are barely represented in government and local authorities" (6).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: TRAFF-PRACTICE-2, GP-DATA-2
"The practice of fasliyya, in which women are bartered as a means of resolving tribal disputes, is also often undertaken" (8).
Variables: TRAFF-PRACTICE-2, GP-DATA-2
"The practice of fasliyya, in which women are bartered as a means of resolving tribal disputes, is also often undertaken" (8).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: IAW-PRACTICE-1
"[F]emale-headed households face additional challenges following the death of the provider (a likely scenario for ISF or PMU employees), as they do not receive the salary of the deceased husband" (5). "[S]ince child marriages almost always take place outside of the court system, children produced by the marriage cannot be registered or acquire identity documents. Without proof of the marriage, women are unable to obtain their rights through court proceedings such as alimony or widow’s benefits" (9).
Variables: IAW-PRACTICE-1
"[F]emale-headed households face additional challenges following the death of the provider (a likely scenario for ISF or PMU employees), as they do not receive the salary of the deceased husband" (5). "[S]ince child marriages almost always take place outside of the court system, children produced by the marriage cannot be registered or acquire identity documents. Without proof of the marriage, women are unable to obtain their rights through court proceedings such as alimony or widow’s benefits" (9).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: IIP-PRACTICE-1
"So-called ‘honour’ crimes in Iraq most often take the form of murder, but also encompass other forms of violence such as physical abuse, confinement, control of movement, deprivation of education, forced marriage, and public dishonouring" (4).
Variables: IIP-PRACTICE-1
"So-called ‘honour’ crimes in Iraq most often take the form of murder, but also encompass other forms of violence such as physical abuse, confinement, control of movement, deprivation of education, forced marriage, and public dishonouring" (4).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: IIP-PRACTICE-2
"The outbreak of large-scale popular protests in Basra and other Iraqi cities from July 2018 has led to a wave of violent repression of civilian activists, including women. In addition to the use of excessive force against protestors on the streets, there has been a campaign of systematic death threats, arbitrary detentions and premeditated assassinations. These include Hajar Youssif, an Iraqi activist and volunteer medic, who was kidnapped, beaten and threatened for attending protests in Basra and Suad Al-Ali, a human rights activist and head of Al-Wid Al-Alami for Human Rights in Basra, who was shot dead in front of a supermarket on 25 September 2018. Women in the public...more
Variables: IIP-PRACTICE-2
"The outbreak of large-scale popular protests in Basra and other Iraqi cities from July 2018 has led to a wave of violent repression of civilian activists, including women. In addition to the use of excessive force against protestors on the streets, there has been a campaign of systematic death threats, arbitrary detentions and premeditated assassinations. These include Hajar Youssif, an Iraqi activist and volunteer medic, who was kidnapped, beaten and threatened for attending protests in Basra and Suad Al-Ali, a human rights activist and head of Al-Wid Al-Alami for Human Rights in Basra, who was shot dead in front of a supermarket on 25 September 2018. Women in the public...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: INFIB-DATA-2
"Women in Iraq generally face high levels of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation" (2). "Despite the criminalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kurdistan in 2011, FGM continues to be practised on girls and women… Due to the fact that FGM has become illegal and bears criminal consequences, the practice has now gone underground" (4).
Variables: INFIB-DATA-2
"Women in Iraq generally face high levels of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation" (2). "Despite the criminalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kurdistan in 2011, FGM continues to be practised on girls and women… Due to the fact that FGM has become illegal and bears criminal consequences, the practice has now gone underground" (4).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: INFIB-LAW-1
"Despite the criminalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kurdistan in 2011, FGM continues to be practised on girls and women" (4). "Due to the fact that FGM has become illegal and bears criminal consequences, the practice has now gone underground. The federal government of Iraq does not have any legislation dealing with the issue of FGM, denying even its existence outside the Kurdistan region" (4).
Variables: INFIB-LAW-1
"Despite the criminalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kurdistan in 2011, FGM continues to be practised on girls and women" (4). "Due to the fact that FGM has become illegal and bears criminal consequences, the practice has now gone underground. The federal government of Iraq does not have any legislation dealing with the issue of FGM, denying even its existence outside the Kurdistan region" (4).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: INFIB-PRACTICE-1
"Despite the criminalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kurdistan in 2011, FGM continues to be practised on girls and women. Prosecutions in cases of FGM are impeded by the fact that perpetrators of the practice are almost always the victim’s immediate family members or relatives, making it unlikely that the victim, especially if a minor, would report them. Moreover, reporting the incident could lead to reprisal against the victim in her community and home, and would offer little benefit to the victim once the procedure had already been performed. Due to the fact that FGM has become illegal and bears criminal consequences, the practice has now gone underground. The...more
Variables: INFIB-PRACTICE-1
"Despite the criminalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kurdistan in 2011, FGM continues to be practised on girls and women. Prosecutions in cases of FGM are impeded by the fact that perpetrators of the practice are almost always the victim’s immediate family members or relatives, making it unlikely that the victim, especially if a minor, would report them. Moreover, reporting the incident could lead to reprisal against the victim in her community and home, and would offer little benefit to the victim once the procedure had already been performed. Due to the fact that FGM has become illegal and bears criminal consequences, the practice has now gone underground. The...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-1, PW-PRACTICE-1
"The dire economic situation of widows means that many were pushed to enter temporary marriages to sustain themselves" (6).
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-1, PW-PRACTICE-1
"The dire economic situation of widows means that many were pushed to enter temporary marriages to sustain themselves" (6).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: LBHO-PRACTICE-3
"Women in public life have often been exposed to threats and intimidation, and a number of killings have occurred" (6). "Women in the public sphere, participating in protests, or in the 2018 elections have further been subjected to public defamation campaigns and sexual shaming. Such attacks can leave women defenders isolated and sometimes ostracized by their communities" (7).
Variables: LBHO-PRACTICE-3
"Women in public life have often been exposed to threats and intimidation, and a number of killings have occurred" (6). "Women in the public sphere, participating in protests, or in the 2018 elections have further been subjected to public defamation campaigns and sexual shaming. Such attacks can leave women defenders isolated and sometimes ostracized by their communities" (7).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: LRCM-DATA-1
"Forced marriage in Iraq often leads to further violations including physical violence, sexual abuse and deprivation of education" (9).
Variables: LRCM-DATA-1
"Forced marriage in Iraq often leads to further violations including physical violence, sexual abuse and deprivation of education" (9).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-2
"Asuda for Combating Violence against Women is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established on 21 August 2000 and based in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq" (1).
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-2
"Asuda for Combating Violence against Women is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established on 21 August 2000 and based in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq" (1).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: SMES-DATA-2
"Many of those displaced were female heads of households who lost or were separated from the male breadwinner. Displaced women travelling without a male companion are often prone to exploitation and abuse, and can also face challenges with documentation due to patriarchal nature of documentation systems in Iraq. Food ration cards, for instance, bear the name of the male head of the household, thus women without a male companion are often prevented from transferring and using the card. Moreover, female-headed households face additional challenges following the death of the provider (a likely scenario for ISF or PMU employees), as they do not receive the salary of the deceased husband. Displaced...more
Variables: SMES-DATA-2
"Many of those displaced were female heads of households who lost or were separated from the male breadwinner. Displaced women travelling without a male companion are often prone to exploitation and abuse, and can also face challenges with documentation due to patriarchal nature of documentation systems in Iraq. Food ration cards, for instance, bear the name of the male head of the household, thus women without a male companion are often prevented from transferring and using the card. Moreover, female-headed households face additional challenges following the death of the provider (a likely scenario for ISF or PMU employees), as they do not receive the salary of the deceased husband. Displaced...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: SEGI-PRACTICE-3
"Minorities have been particularly affected by the conflict and minority women defenders from these areas remain under threat. Threats against minority women defenders can go unnoticed or ignored" (6). "Women in the public sphere, participating in protests, or in the 2018 elections have further been subjected to public defamation campaigns and sexual shaming. Such attacks can leave women defenders isolated and sometimes ostracized by their communities" (7).
Variables: SEGI-PRACTICE-3
"Minorities have been particularly affected by the conflict and minority women defenders from these areas remain under threat. Threats against minority women defenders can go unnoticed or ignored" (6). "Women in the public sphere, participating in protests, or in the 2018 elections have further been subjected to public defamation campaigns and sexual shaming. Such attacks can leave women defenders isolated and sometimes ostracized by their communities" (7).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: SMES-DATA-3
"There were approximately 1,600,000 widows in Iraq at the beginning of 2014 and even more female-headed households" (5).
Variables: SMES-DATA-3
"There were approximately 1,600,000 widows in Iraq at the beginning of 2014 and even more female-headed households" (5).
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-1
"Asuda for Combating Violence against Women is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established on 21 August 2000 and based in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Asuda’s vision is a world where women enjoy dignity and equal rights and access to resources and opportunities, where all forms of discrimination and marginalisation against women have been eliminated, where violence plays no part in women’s lives" (1). "These include Hajar Youssif, an Iraqi activist and volunteer medic, who was kidnapped, beaten and threatened for attending protests in Basra and Suad Al-Ali, a human rights activist and head of Al-Wid Al-Alami for Human Rights in Basra, who was shot dead in front of a supermarket...more
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-1
"Asuda for Combating Violence against Women is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established on 21 August 2000 and based in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Asuda’s vision is a world where women enjoy dignity and equal rights and access to resources and opportunities, where all forms of discrimination and marginalisation against women have been eliminated, where violence plays no part in women’s lives" (1). "These include Hajar Youssif, an Iraqi activist and volunteer medic, who was kidnapped, beaten and threatened for attending protests in Basra and Suad Al-Ali, a human rights activist and head of Al-Wid Al-Alami for Human Rights in Basra, who was shot dead in front of a supermarket...more
March 19, 2025, 10:12 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MURDER-PRACTICE-1
"Women in Iraq generally face high levels of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual harassment, murders in the name of honour, forced and early marriage, and human trafficking. These crimes continue to be perpetrated with impunity, with few prosecutions for rape and other acts of violence" (2). "Article 128 considers ‘honourable motives’ to be a mitigating excuse in the commission of an offence, allowing the applicable penalty to be greatly reduced. Since ‘honourable motives’ are not defined, this article provides a legal cover for murder and other serious crimes against women on a wide variety of grounds. Along a similar vein, Article 409 provides that if a...more
Variables: MURDER-PRACTICE-1
"Women in Iraq generally face high levels of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual harassment, murders in the name of honour, forced and early marriage, and human trafficking. These crimes continue to be perpetrated with impunity, with few prosecutions for rape and other acts of violence" (2). "Article 128 considers ‘honourable motives’ to be a mitigating excuse in the commission of an offence, allowing the applicable penalty to be greatly reduced. Since ‘honourable motives’ are not defined, this article provides a legal cover for murder and other serious crimes against women on a wide variety of grounds. Along a similar vein, Article 409 provides that if a...more