Andorra Raises Minimum Rape Sentence to 4 Years in Penal Code Reform

The legislative commission on Justice, Interior, and Institutional Affairs has concluded reforms to Andorra's Penal Code, increasing the minimum prison term for rape from three to four years.

Standard rape offences will now face sentences of four to ten years, compared to the prior range of three to ten years. Aggravated cases, including those against minors, will carry seven to fifteen years, up from six to fifteen years previously.

Commission members finalised the changes during meetings this week, with sources confirming closure on Wednesday. The rapporteur's report awaits approval early next week, setting the stage for the full Consell General to vote on the text at its 14 July session.

Councillors from various groups reported general satisfaction with the compromises reached, despite lingering political divides. Most proposed amendments found accommodation, aside from issues like abortion decriminalisation. The social democrats intend to file a reserved amendment to spark public debate on that topic.

Concòrdia MP Núria Segués, the party president, praised the outcome, noting that authorities accepted and negotiated most of their proposals—aligning closely with the legislative initiative the group tabled last October. The party expressed regret, however, over a six-month delay that prevented further bolstering of child protections and addressing emerging digital violence. No timeline for the code's implementation has been specified.