This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38030182

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Turkish bill clears men of statutory rape if they marry Turkish bill clears men of statutory rape if they marry
(about 3 hours later)
A bill which would allow men accused of raping underage girls to be cleared if they marry the girl has been preliminarily backed by Turkish MPs.A bill which would allow men accused of raping underage girls to be cleared if they marry the girl has been preliminarily backed by Turkish MPs.
The government says the bill is aimed at pardoning men who did not realise they were engaging in underage sex. The bill would pardon men only if they had sex without "force or threat" and if they married the victim.
Critics say it legitimises rape and child marriage, and lets off men who are aware of their crime.Critics say it legitimises rape and child marriage, and lets off men who are aware of their crime.
Violence against women in Turkey has increased in the past decade - 40% of women report sexual or physical abuse.Violence against women in Turkey has increased in the past decade - 40% of women report sexual or physical abuse.
Statistics also show the murder rate of women increased by 1,400% between 2003 and 2010.Statistics also show the murder rate of women increased by 1,400% between 2003 and 2010.
The bill was initially approved on Thursday evening after being brought to parliament by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). On Tuesday, MPs will debate the bill a second time before casting their final vote.The bill was initially approved on Thursday evening after being brought to parliament by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). On Tuesday, MPs will debate the bill a second time before casting their final vote.
If it passes it will likely quash the convictions of some 3,000 men accused of assaulting an under-18, if their act was committed without "force or threat" and if the aggressor marries the victim with the consent of their family. Analysis - BBC's Mark Lowen, Turkey
But critics say as well as overlooking statutory (underage) rape it would legitimise child marriage. It is a highly contentious bill that has divided Turkey along its traditional secular versus conservative fault line.
The aim, says the government, is not to excuse rape but to rehabilitate those who may not have realised their sexual relations were unlawful - or to prevent girls who have sex under the age of 18 from feeling ostracised by their community.
There is opposition to the bill on the streets of Istanbul. Many say it will encourage men to rape.
But the government will get support among its pious voter base in poorer areas where girls are married off young and the sexual abuse rate is higher. Supporters say Mr Erdogan has liberated religious women by repealing a ban on headscarves in public places.
The vote on Tuesday could spark mass protests.
If it passes it will likely quash the convictions of some 3,000 men accused of assaulting an under-18-year-old.
But critics say as well as overlooking statutory rape (underage sex) it would legitimise child marriage.
"Sexual abuse is a crime and there is no consent in it. This is what the AKP fails to understand," said Ozgur Ozel, MP for the opposition Republican People's Party, according to AFP news agency. "Seeking the consent of a child is something that universal law does not provide for.""Sexual abuse is a crime and there is no consent in it. This is what the AKP fails to understand," said Ozgur Ozel, MP for the opposition Republican People's Party, according to AFP news agency. "Seeking the consent of a child is something that universal law does not provide for."
But Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said it could help couples who have engaged in consensual sex and want to marry.But Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said it could help couples who have engaged in consensual sex and want to marry.
"When a child is then born from this non-official union, the doctor warns the prosecutor and the man is sent to prison, putting the child and mother into financial difficulties," he said."When a child is then born from this non-official union, the doctor warns the prosecutor and the man is sent to prison, putting the child and mother into financial difficulties," he said.
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Turkey reports critics of the bill have blamed the Islamist government of President Erdogan for encouraging female subservience while in office. Mr Erdogan has said women and men are not equal.
But government supporters say Mr Erdogan has liberated religious women by repealing a ban on headscarves in public places.