Morocco amends controversial rape marriage law Wednesday Jan 22,2014

The parliament of Morocco on Wednesday Jan 22,2014 has unanimously amended an article of the penal code that allowed rapists of underage girls to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims

The move follows intensive lobbying by activists for better protection of young rape victims. The amendment has been welcomed by rights groups

Article 475 of the penal code generated unprecedented public criticism
Article 475 provides for a prison term of one to five years for anyone who "abducts or deceives" a minor "without violence, threat or fraud, or attempts to do so".

It was first proposed by Morocco's Islamist-led Govt a year ago

But the issue came to public prominence in 2012 when 16-year-old Amina Filali killed herself after being forced to marry her rapist.

She accused Moustapha Fellak, who at the time was about 25, of physical abuse after they married, which he denies. After seven months of marriage, Ms Filali swallowed rat poison.

The case shocked many people in Morocco, received extensive media coverage and sparked protests in the capital Rabat and other cities

Amnesty International said Jan 22,2014 Wednesday's amendment was a step in the right direction but "long overdue," and urged a comprehensive strategy to protect women and girls from violence in Morocco.

Right activists hailed the amendment, while stressing that much more remained to be done to promote gender equality, outlaw child marriage and protect women from violence in Morocco