A Step Towards Justice: Moroccan Court Increases Sentences in Child Rape Case

In a significant development, the appeals court in Rabat, Morocco, has increased the jail sentences of three men convicted of "indecent assault" for the repeated rape of an 11-year-old girl. The case had sparked public outrage and condemnation. The court sentenced one man to 20 years in prison and the other two to 10 years each. Previously, the lower court had sentenced one of the attackers to two years and the others to 18 months each.

The appeals court also ordered the three men to pay damages totaling 140,000 dirhams (nearly $14,000) instead of the 50,000 dirhams ordered by the lower court.

The victim, now 12 years old, was accompanied by her grandmother and father during the hearing. The defendants faced the same charges as in the original trial, with the prosecution's request to add "rape" to the charges being rejected by the judge. The case has led to an uproar in Morocco, with a petition condemning the initial sentences amassing tens of thousands of signatures.

While the increased sentences represent progress towards justice, it is important to consider the Moroccan penal code to fully understand if justice has been served. According to Article 486 of the Moroccan penal code, rape is punishable by 5 to 10 years of imprisonment. If the victim is a minor, the punishment increases to 10 to 20 years of imprisonment. Additionally, Article 485 states that indecent assault with violence is punishable by 2 to 5 years of imprisonment, with the sentence increasing to 5 to 10 years if the victim is a minor.

In the case mentioned, the three men were convicted of "indecent assault," and the prosecution's request to add "rape" to the charges was rejected by the judge. The sentences of 20 years for one man and 10 years for the other two are within the legal range for indecent assault on a minor. However, considering the heinous nature of the crime and its traumatic impact on the young victim, some may argue that the sentences should have been more severe.

While the increased sentences demonstrate progress, this case highlights the need for further reform in the Moroccan legal system to address the severity of sexual assault and rape cases, particularly when the victim is a minor. It also calls for comprehensive support and rehabilitation for victims, as well as a broader societal effort to tackle the root causes of such crimes.