Anti-rape law passed

The self-declared republic of Somaliland has passed a law against rape for the first time. Rapists now stand to face at least 30 years in prison. Parliamentary speaker Bashe Farah told BBC News that rape cases have risen and he hoped the new law would help stop that trend. ‘The main emphasis of the new act is to completely stop rape,’ he said. Previously, a victim's family could force them to marry their rapist to avoid being shamed. Somaliland declared itself independent from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised as a country. There is still no law against rape in Somalia.