The law that will punish the improper relationships was passed yesterday with 40 votes in favor and 3 votes against.
According to the act, it is punishable with imprisonment to have oral, anal or vaginal intercourse with a minor, on the condition that it is not a rape, in the following cases:
-When the victim is older than 13 years old and younger than 15 years old and the perpetrator is 5 or more years older, the punishment will be imprisonment from three to six years.
-When the victim is over 15 years old and under 18 years old and the perpetrator is 7 or more years older, the person will be imprisoned from two to three years.
-When the perpetrator is related to the victim, such as an uncle, an aunt, a brother, a sister or a cousin, by blood or affinity, or if the offender is a guardian or in a position of trust or authority over the victim or the victim´s family, the punishment will be imprisonment from 4 to 10 years,
It also forbids marriages with minors.
While some congresswomen welcomed the adoption of the legal reform, others reiterated their objections alleging that the age differences are not correct.
The United Nations (UN) as well as the Ombudsman, defined as “urgent” the approval of the initiative.