Amnesty International hails amendment to rape law

Amnesty International on Thursday applauded the amendment of Article 336 in the new criminal code redefining what constitutes rape after a public outcry over the previous much more lenient definition.

"The new definition includes the concept of non-consent as an element of rape, as demanded by everybody in the public debate [on the law], by human rights groups, women's movements and the relevant agencies," AI said in a statement following the amendment submitted to Parliament by Justice Minister Michalis Kalogirou.

The amendment came after Article 336 came under heavy criticism for failing to clarify that any sexual act without the consent of both parties constitutes rape. It had instead defined rape as a sexual act committed with the use of force or the threat of force. Under the previous definition rape could be downgraded to a misdemeanor carrying a prison sentence...