Argentina’s congress voted nearly unanimously to toughen human-trafficking laws following outrage over the acquittal of 13 people accused of running a sex slave ring.
The chamber of deputies approved the reforms late Wednesday with 224 votes in favor and one abstention.
Public fury over last week’s acquittal had led to clashes between demonstrators and police, and protests were held in at least seven provinces including Tucuman, where the sex trafficking case had been heard.
The new legislation features a clause stating that consent on the part of the victim does not protect the alleged trafficker from criminal prosecution.
It also allows women to make their statements to a psychologist appointed by the judge, and not by the parties in the case.
The old law dating from 2008 had put the burden of proof on adult women victims of sex trafficking to prove that they did not consent to being sex slaves.
The new law also doubles penalties for “simple sexual exploitation” to four years, and tripled penalties to 15 years if the victims are children or become pregnant.
The marathon ten-hour session, convened specially by President Cristina Kirchner, was attended by Susan Trimarco, mother of Marita Veron, a young woman who disappeared in 2002 and is believed to have been a victim of the alleged traffickers who were acquitted.
Trimarco’s crusade against the trafficking of young women had also led to passage of the 2008 law. Trimarco has yet to find her daughter.
She hailed the new legislation saying “it gives us the legal tools for combating and fighting this crime in the best way possible.” Sapa-AFP
Argentina reforms sex slave law after uproar
Argentina’s congress voted nearly unanimously to toughen human-trafficking laws following outrage over the acquittal of 13 people accused of running a sex slave ring.
The chamber of deputies approved the reforms late Wednesday with 224 votes in favor and one abstention.
Public fury over last week’s acquittal had led to clashes between demonstrators and police, and protests were held in at least seven provinces including Tucuman, where the sex trafficking case had been heard.
The new legislation features a clause stating that consent on the part of the victim does not protect the alleged trafficker from criminal prosecution.
It also allows women to make their statements to a psychologist appointed by the judge, and not by the parties in the case.
The old law dating from 2008 had put the burden of proof on adult women victims of sex trafficking to prove that they did not consent to being sex slaves.
The new law also doubles penalties for “simple sexual exploitation” to four years, and tripled penalties to 15 years if the victims are children or become pregnant.
The marathon ten-hour session, convened specially by President Cristina Kirchner, was attended by Susan Trimarco, mother of Marita Veron, a young woman who disappeared in 2002 and is believed to have been a victim of the alleged traffickers who were acquitted.
Trimarco’s crusade against the trafficking of young women had also led to passage of the 2008 law. Trimarco has yet to find her daughter.
She hailed the new legislation saying “it gives us the legal tools for combating and fighting this crime in the best way possible.” Sapa-AFP
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos