MONROVIA, Montserrado – The head of the Liberian Senate has provided clarification on the status of the proposed amendment to the current rape law.

Speaking on Tuesday at the induction ceremony for officers of the Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia, Senate Pro Tempore Albert Chie told the gathering that the Senate had not amended the current rape law, contrary to reports that the law had been amended.

Although the Senate had voted to approve the amendment introduced by Sinoe’s Senator Milton Teahjay, Chie said the law itself has not changed and is still under discussion among senators for amendment.

He said following a report from the Senate’s Committee on Judiciary on the proposed amendments, the Senate voted to mandate the committee to come up with proposed amendments.

He said senators were trying to revise the law to ensure that constitutional rights are not abused and that individuals are not punished for crimes before going through a trial.

“We are reviewing the contents of the law and the operations to ensure that the rights of all citizens, whether it be men or women are protected under the law,” he said.

The current law, which was passed in 2005, defined gang rape and most importantly, made it a first-degree felony. It also extended the conditions under which rape could be considered as a capital offense, and therefore non-bailable.

The proposed amendments were said to have made rape bailable for all offenses and granted parole to convicted rapists.

Women representing different organizations in the country registered their disappointment in the reported amendment and staged peaceful matches to show their disagreements.

The women believe that the amendments defeat the purpose of having a law that would deter perpetrators, especially in the midst of the high rate of the crime.

Vivian Neal, the president of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia, which helped draft the law in 2005, said the amendment would weaken the law.

Featured photo by David Stanley