Amnesty International Report Highlights Rape Law Shortcomings in Nordic Countries
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 2:10 PM
Amnesty International recently released a
report analyzing the legal framework for handling rape cases in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The report concluded that the number of rapes reported to police in the Nordic countries has increased significantly in recent years, but that the number of criminal prosecutions of perpetrators has remained the same. Additionally, the report found a high acquittal rate for cases that do go to trial. The report recommends legislative changes for each country’s rape laws to increase the number of successful rape prosecutions, and to bring the laws into compliance with international law and international human rights standards.