The office of the Director of Public Prosecution says sentencing for rape cases are meted out under the Sentencing and Penalties Decree 2009.
Women’s Minister Rosy Akbar has come out in support of harsher penalties for perpetrators of rape, however DPP Christopher Pryde says anyone found guilty is dealt with under relevant judicial tariffs for the offence.
Pryde says the courts impose sentences that reflect the seriousness of the offence and take into account the various aggravating and mitigating factors particular to each individual case.
In a statement to FBC NEWS the DPP further states under section 117 of the Constitution, it is the Director of Public Prosecutions alone that is responsible for initiating criminal prosecutions or withdrawing those prosecutions.
He says the decision to charge a person is made following a careful review of the evidence and charges are only brought if there is a reasonable prospect of a conviction and it is in the public interest.
