Kadie+S.+-+REF+-+SP12

As a matter of fact, the rape laws in other countries have been lacking too causing a demand for reform since the 1970’s. Rape should be considered like a serious crime, just as any other. This is just one example of why reform is so prudent to not only America, but other countries as well, and it needs to start being put in affect now. 2. How many other incidents like this have happened that just havn't been put out for the media? 3. Is there anything being done right now to bring justice to what has happened to Amina? 4. If something like this were to happen in America, how would our government react compared to the government in Morocco? 5. How long does it take to reform to occur within laws in Morocco? Will it take a long time for these laws to be changed? If so, how many more innocent girls will take their own lives to get away from the pain these laws are causing? "Protesters in Morocco demand reform of rape laws after teen girl's suicide - CNN.com." //CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. [].
 * Summary:** In Morocco, a sixteen year old named Amina Filali committed suicide because a judge had mandated that she marry her alleged rapist, just to keep him out of jail. Amina had been pushed to the edge and she drank rat poison after her rapist, and husband, had severely beaten her. This occurrence has caused outrage in North America, but especially within women’s rights activists. Amina’s father said that he didn’t want her to marry this man, but it was apparent that the rest of his family and the court wanted her to. The Moroccan law makes it so that a rapist can sentenced from five to ten years in prison, but if the rapist and the victim marry then the sentence is no longer liable. The court took advantage of this law, and truly forced Amina to marry her attacker. Protests were held him Morocco where protesters held up pictures of Amina and signs with harsh statements on them. This situation is causing a demand for reform within the laws of North America. Even the communications leader said that the situation must be studied in depth so that penalties for these crimes can be increased as a part of reform.
 * Relevance:** The impact of this situation is different for each family that it happens to, but in the end the fact that the crime should be severely punished is all the same. Women want the rape laws to be reformed so that the criminals will be punished, and no woman can be forced to marry her attacker. Despite the difficulties that these advocates are facing, they will not give up on their campaign pushing for reform because as they have pointed out, the current laws on rape and adultery are clearly in violation of international human rights laws.
 * Evaluation:** The fact that things like this are happening in other countries simply shocks me. I feel like if this were to happen in America, the outrage would be so much larger. In fact, I hope the law in America isn’t the same as it is in Morocco regarding marriage after rape. This article just goes to show how different morals people have in different countries, because in Morocco the family would have been ashamed of their daughter if she hadn’t married her rapist. Whereas, here in America, a family would be disgusted and in shock if their daughter was choosing to marry her rapist. Amina’s death is just another example of what the laws in Morocco are doing to innocent girls, and why they have to be amended. Reform is not only wanted, but needed.
 * Questions:** 1. Will the rally of women rights advocates be enough for the government to amend the rape laws in Morocco?
 * Works cited:**

"Women’s Groups Advocate for Rape Law Reform | Refugees International." //Home Page | Refugees International//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. [].