JOhn,

Laws matter. Sex discrimination in law can perpetuate violence against women and girls.

Together, our international network of lawyers, activists, and supporters has successfully campaigned for the repeal of ‘marry-your-rapist’ laws across the world. Despite progress, with Tunisia and Palestine repealing their laws in 2017 and 2018, some countries still have laws that pardon rapists and perpetrators from punishment if they marry their victims.

These laws are unacceptable. 

They deny justice to survivors, take away the survivor’s control of her choices and future, risk her continued abuse and perpetuate a mindset that places the stigma and shame around rape on the survivor rather than the perpetrator. 

We can end them together. 

Thailand’s Criminal Code allows a man who rapes a girl between the ages of 13 to 15 to escape punishment by marrying the victim.

This must stop. 

Laws that allow a perpetrator to go unpunished if they marry their victim sanction violence in the law itself and may contribute to violence against women and girls, including the possibility of further sexual violence within marriage.

Call on Prime Minister Chan-o-cha to turn words into deeds. Take action today.

In Solidarity 

Bryna Subherwal

Advocacy Campaign Manager