Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour)

I wish to raise with the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, the horrific and tragic case in Morocco that came to light recently where a 16 year old girl, Amina Filali, committed suicide after being pressurised by a court, and her mother, to marry her rapist. While the marriage was seen to be required for cultural and religious reasons by some of Amina's family - so as to avoid any damage to the family's honour - the impetus to resolve rape cases in this way is also prompted by an aspect of Morocco's penal code, which allows the rapist of a minor to shield himself from prosecution if he marries his victim. The relevant part of the penal code is Article 475.

Amina's father was against the marriage but was pressurised by the court to agree to it. One can only imagine the psychological trauma visited on the family and the child by having to marry her rapist. After the marriage, she was severely beaten by her rapist and his mother over a period of three and a half months. Then, on the 10 March, she took her life after swallowing 60 cent worth of rat poison. Women's groups in Morocco have been protesting outside the parliament in Rabat calling for an inquiry into the case and for the repeal of Article 475. They rightly point out that, "Marriage is not the solution for a rape, which is a crime", in this case one that went unpunished.

This week we are deciding on whether to introduce gender quotas to improve the participation of women in politics in this country. Our history on the treatment and equality of women is not without blemish; an example of which we heard last week was the matter of symphysiotomy. We have travelled far but we still have some way to go. I respect the fact that we must have due regard to cultural sensitivities and be cautious to avoid the mistakes and evils of colonialism committed by other countries in the past, which were often rooted in arrogance. However, we must be proactive as we owe it to those who are struggling around the world for justice. Poverty and a lack of educational opportunities are at the heart of many such actions, in particular in the case of women. In the midst of our financial and economic difficulties we should be also mindful of the obligations to those living in desperate poverty around the world, in particular to the family that is affected in Morocco.

I urge the Minister of State to call in the Moroccan representative to this country. As a fellow parliamentarian I ask her to indicate our displeasure and to add her voice to a call to have this reprehensible law repealed. Further, as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, I urge Deputy Creighton to encourage her European colleagues and the European Union itself to bring to bear as much political pressure as possible on Morocco to repeal a law that provides for a situation whereby a rapist can rape a minor and have an exit strategy as a consequence of a provision in civil law. I find that disgusting and reprehensible. I ask the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs to take whatever action is necessary on behalf of this country and this House to highlight it to the Moroccan representative in this country and in Europe.

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