Sudan recently changed its rape law after allegations that the law stands in the way of legal protection to rape victims. This has been celebrated as a victory and a signal of political will to protect women and children against sexual violence. But the reform has major weaknesses. Women's rights activists have been accused of cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) that has indicted President Omar al-Bashir for the systematic use of rape in the Darfur conflict. Groups that have fought for changes in the rape law have been shut down, censored and harassed.

Liv Tønnessen

Director of Center on Law and Social Transformation and Senior Researcher