By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Peoples’ Human Rights Council (MPHRC), while welcoming the report of the Justice Verma Committee on amending criminal laws to provide for greater punishment for sexual violence, has asked the political parties in the State to make implementation of its recommendations as an unequivocal national priority.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, MPHRC secretary general Dino DG Dympep termed the report as a tribute not only to the young woman who was raped and murdered in Delhi five weeks back, but to all victims of sexual violence and assault in the country.
According to the MPHRC, the Committee’s recommendations are grounded in a framework of rights, equality and non-discrimination, and represent a paradigm shift towards recognition of women as holders of rights and not just objects of protection.
Dympep also stated that the Justice Verma Committee report recommends a number of far-reaching changes, including punishment for marital rape, domestic rape and rape in same-sex relationships; mandatory provision for police officers to register every case of reported rape and punish those who fail to do so; hold police and armed forces personnel involved in sexual violence accountable; punish offences such as stalking and voyeurism with prison terms; change the humiliating protocol for medical examinations experienced by rape victims; crack down on extra-legal village councils, which often issue edicts against women; suggests comprehensive measures to improve sexuality education in schools and the community; and suggest new legal requirements and electoral reforms to ensure that people charged with criminal offences do not hold political office.