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| 2013 justice for "Liz" after anti-rape protests in Kenya and 1.7 million people signed online petition from around the world (Photo: AFP/Image source: Rawstory) |
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Kenyan court sentenced three men to 15 years in jail on Monday for the gang
rape of a 16-year-old girl in 2013, after protests erupted when police had
initially made the suspects cut grass at their compound as punishment.
Reuters report continues:
The
girl, known as "Liz" to protect her identity, was raped as she
returned home from her grandfather's funeral in western Kenya. She was dumped
in an open sewer and suffered back injuries.
The
case sparked an international online petition that drew more than 1.7 million
signatures from people demanding justice.
Rape
is rarely reported in the east African nation due to stigma and lack of faith
in the justice system, although there are strong laws against sexual assault.
The
three men, whose trial began last year, were convicted by a court in the
western county of Busia, prosecutor Jecinta Nyamosi told Reuters by telephone.
They
were sentenced to 15 years for gang rape and seven years for causing grievous
harm, to be served concurrently.
"Liz
has finally gotten justice and her case will hopefully continue to be a wake-up
call for all," Equality Now, a group which has campaigned on the case,
said on its website.
"We
must continue to push for safe environments for girls, where sexual violence is
not tolerated and is punished to the fullest extent of the law."
Last year, hundreds of
people marched to the office of the head of the police in Nairobi to demand
justice. The protesters hung underwear on the gate to his office and held placards
saying: "Slashing grass is not a punishment for rape."
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