Bangladesh government introduces death penalty for rape

The Bangladesh government on Monday approved a law change introducing the death penalty for rape. In the southern Asian country, there is more and more anger about sexual assaults.

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Now rape carries a maximum life sentence. The amendment of the law changes the punishment to death or rigorously life imprisonment. A presidential statement will, perhaps Tuesday, ensure that the law change takes effect.

According to the NGO Ain o Salish Kendra, 975 women were raped in Bangladesh in the first nine months of this year, 43 followed by murder.

Last week, thousands of people took to the streets after a gang in a remote place raped a woman and posted images of it on social media. Protesters blamed the increasing number of rapes and sex crimes. “Hang rapists” and “No mercy for rapists” were the slogans.

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