To lawyer Ceren Akkaya, a proposal by Turkey’s government that would defer sentencing or punishment in some sexual assault cases and which critics say would legitimize child marriages is a disaster waiting to happen. Human rights groups and opposition lawmakers say the proposal would provide amnesty to individuals accused of sexually abusing minors. The proposal is part of a bill that would make scores of changes to laws dealing with sexual assault. Under current law, the age of consent is 18 and individuals age 16 or 17 must obtain special permission from a judge to get married. Opponents of the government proposal say the conditions are prohibitive for many victims, especially underage ones.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 22, 2016 00:46 UTC