Penal Code Amendment 2016

Brief Description

Amendments in the Penal Code's provisions addressing stalking and forced marriage entered into force on 1 July 2016. One of them was a new penal provision addressing serious cases of stalking. The new penal provision carries a prescribed penalty frame of four years. The reason for the proposal is that stalking is regarded to have very serious implications for the individuals targeted, and that protection under criminal law against such acts should therefore be made stronger and clearer. Another new provision was added to section 253 of the Penal Code concerning forced marriage, which targets individuals who by deceit or other means contribute to someone travelling abroad and being subjected to forced marriage. This allows criminal proceedings to be instituted and thereby prevent a forced marriage before the aggrieved person is lured into travelling to a country where it can be difficult to seek protection from forced marriage.