Law in Morocco that allows rapists to marry their victims

It is also famous for the Lixus Roman ruins - there are spectacular mosaics. That is why I went there.

Anyway, all this is irrelevant. Children being forced to marry their rapists, being beaten by them and committing suicide as a result, is terrible violence, no matter where it happens.

It's a tourist destination for Moroccan people. Although it is in both the guide books I have of Morocco. It is on the main route between Tangier and Rabat and has a population of over 100,000. It has been an important coastal stronghold throughout Moroccan history. You may not of heard of it, but that does not mean that other people have not.

Well known and tourist destination?

I spent a whole summer in nearby Asilah in the mid 90s and never once heard anyone refer to Larache. Yes people mentioned the cities and other places of interest but Larache was not one of them.

This is the first time I ever heard of the place.

This article is quite good and adds a bit of context.

blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/03/15/amina-filalis-choice-stay-silent-or-marry-your-rapist/

Also I note that Amina Filali came from Larache - which is hardly the back of beyond. It is a well known coastal town and a tourist destination. I've been there.

And and AbF bravo for getting down with the locals and digging their issues whilst the UK women 'bought' the story they were being spun. Have a cookie .

Morocco has a patriarchy problem. Too many misogynistic men who are only too happy to trample over women's rights.

Morocco has a population problem. Too many children born means that you cannot hope to educate everyone.

Sadly in remote towns and villages the customs of 100 years ago are still the norm.

I went with a group of English tourists into the High Atlas mountains. The older women I was with got chatting to the male guides who told them how damaging it was to their small Berber villages now that satellite tv had arrived.

The women from the UK bought this and went around saying how bad it was that the traditional ways and values were being undermined. It is very easy in these remote communities to resist change and progress and convince people that you are right to do so.

By contrast you talk to young women in the cities and they have more equality but they are still amazed when you tell them that as a male you live alone and that you do not have a mother or a wife to run around the house tidying up for you or cooking meals for you.

Her family went along with it though, and disowned her when she complained of beatings.

Her husband dragged her through the streets by her hair - you wouldn't get very far doing that in the UK (I hope).

Points to more than one judge and an antiquated law, but a wider attitude.

The law they want removed sounds like it is a left over from 20-30 years ago. A disgusting loophole that should have been wiped from the legal system a long time ago.

Yes the judge who allowed it to be used should be prosecuted, but as with the judges in the UK they can commit acts of child abuse and are immune from prosecution

Stories like this in countries where there is no prospect of change are reported quite regularly

There was a harrowing report about a woman being forced to work as a prostitute in Afghanistan on C4 news the other day, a lengthy report.

I linked it on here to share it with others. I don't know whether that meets with your approval or not

I think it is because certain men are really really concerned that we might tax our ladybrains too much SQ.

It is for our own good you know.

If this law was changed in Morocco, wouldn't it encourage activists in other countries with this law, and show that it can be done and give them more clout in their argument?

There are larger talks underway in Morocco about giving women equality under law. They are currently undertaking research as the best way to implement reform.

They are far removed from their more backward Islamic neighbours. That is what makes this incident all the more horrific for them and gives them greater desire to push forward reform.

If this story is being reported it is not for the nature of the rape and abuse but because you have women in an Islamic country who are forcing change through.

The Arab Spring will hopefully now move on to equal rights for women in these countries. Morocco being the most egalitarian should naturally be the first to implement new laws.

I also don't understand the idea that people who post on here aren't able to have more than one thought at the same time.

So I don't understand why we're not supposed to talk about this.

It's not as if we've got a large amount of money and we're trying to decide what cause to spend it on.

Internet activism is extremely important to women. The internet has played an important role in the resurgence of feminism as a political movement. Internet activism makes it much easier for women to share their experiences, to mount campaigns, to listen to each other, to help and support each other. We share texts, presentations and book recommendations, testimonies from abused and prostituted women. The internet allows women to come together in a way we never have before .

Which is why so many men are sneery about it by trying to paint us as silly women sitting at home in our western luxury enjoying a bit of 'moral outrage' at the behaviour of furriners. How Offensive.

hand-dived x posts

I know that many are activists in one way or another, and support organisations here are abroad.

However us talking about these cases in a day-to-day way and expressing shock won't do much to help. Unless I guess it draws wider attention to the story and / or motivates someone to get involved in a more active way.

Fact is that sitting here talking about it doesn't do much. Whether it's morocco or afghanistan or wherever.

So on the basis that this is the feminist topic of a chat forum, I think it's perfectly reasonable to talk about this story.

I am also heartened by the protests and hope that they will manage to get the law changed - a law which appears to be written into the national lawbook rather than existing in rural areas only.

No you are wrong AbsentFather. It is very consequential. It just happens that this is the topic being discussed today.Dismissing this as a real issue is the damaging element, and that is what you are doing.

And you have no idea what activism we do. Please don't presume that you do.

What is sensationalised about that story?

Internet activism. Which sensationalised story can you be morally outraged by today? Oh the patriarchy is to blame for all injustice :)

How many 12 yr olds have been raped and married off in Pakistan or Iran today? It is of no consequence because you have the 1 incident from a progressive muslim state to focus on.

Ahh the old "better target" line. Concentrate your efforts elsewhere everyone, a man has told us we should.

This issue is horrific and extremely relevant at the moment given the "We believe you" rape awareness campaign.

Throwing your weight around a bit there aren't you AbF by telling us what we may and may not be bothered by .

If you don't mind, I'll continue to be shocked and angered by institutionalised, systematic violence against women. I'm perfectly capable of supporting the Moroccan people who protest against this violence whilst simultaneously condemning that violence, thank you.

This is an extreme case in Morocco. It happened in a poor, conservative small town. The decision was made by a local court and undoubtedly would not happen elsewhere.

The people are out protesting in Rabat because this clearly does not fit with their values and how they see a modern Morocco. You would not get a similar demonstration of feeling in Kabul, Islamabad or Tehran where this kind of abuse is more accepted.

There are better targets for your attention than Morocco where its own people are doing a good job of improving the condition of women.

That story is absolutely horrifying.

Any country who would force a 16 yo to marry her rapist, have it as a cultural norm that complaints by the girl of violence to her family result in disowning, is clearly not a good place for women by any measure.

I can't believe that c* dragged her through the streets by her hair when she was dying.

The whole thing makes me feel sick.