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Pakistan approves law for speedy justice in sexual violence cases 2 minutes read
Islamabad, Dec 15 (efe-epa).- The president of Pakistan on Tuesday signed a decree to expedite justice in cases of sexual violence against women and children.
The law, signed by President Arif Alvi, provides for the creation of special courts for speedy trials, and comes in response to a series of brutal sexual abuse cases that have caused outrage in the Asian country.
“The Ordinance will help resolve matters of sexual abuse/rape expeditiously against women and children,” Alvi tweeted.
The Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020 establishes the creation of Anti-rape Crisis Cells that will conduct medical examinations of victims within six hours once a rape is reported.
President Alvi Approves Anti-Rape Ordinance
File photo. Courtesy PID
New legislation calls for establishment of special courts to expedite trials of rape and sexual assault cases
President Arif Alvi on Tuesday approved the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2020 to help expedite trials of rape cases, as well as implement harsher punishments for anyone convicted of such offenses.
Under the ordinance, special courts will be set up nationwide to expedite the trials of rape cases on priority basis. It calls for all cases to be resolved within four months and also mandates the establishment of Prime Minister’s Anti-Rape Crisis Cells to conduct medico-legal examinations of all victims within six hours of any sexual assault being reported.