Puebla, Mexico: Congress Passes Legislation Aimed at Eliminating Female Abductions

On August 3, 2013 SIPSE Noticias reported that the Puebla Congress has unanimously approved a state penal code reform to eliminate female abductions, forced marriages and human trafficking. Under current legislation dealing with rape and kidnapping, if a woman forgives and marries her abductor, this cancels out the crime (a practice prohibited by international law). Under the new legislation, female abductors will face anywhere from three months to three years imprisonment. However, if sexual intercourse is involved, the penalty increases to between one and five years imprisonment.

According to the promoter of the initiative, Rep. Gerardo Mejía Ramírez, such abductions which violate the rights of women are commonly practiced within the municipalities of Zacatlán, Huauchinango and Xicotepec. Read Article