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'{{short description|Overview of ages of consent in Asia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Age of consent series}} The legal [[age of consent]] for sexual activity varies by jurisdiction across Asia, ranging from age 9 ([[#Yemen|Yemen]]) to age 21 ([[#Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]). The specific activity engaged in or the gender of participants can also be relevant factors. Below is a discussion of the various laws dealing with this subject. The highlighted age refers to an age at or above which an individual can engage in unfettered sexual relations with another who is also at or above that age. Other variables, such as homosexual relations or close in age exceptions, may exist, and are noted when relevant, for example in Indonesia. {{horizontal TOC|limit=2}} == Summary == The below is a list of all jurisdictions in Asia as listed in [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Asia]]. === Definitions === {{#section: List of countries by age of consent|Definitions}} === Table === {| class="nowrap sortable mw-datatable wikitable" style=text-align:center {{#lst:List of countries by age of consent|table header}} |-{{sorting row|15}} <section begin=table/> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Afghanistan}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 16 || — || — || {{left}} <ref name="AIDSPortal">{{Cite web |title=AIDS Portal |url=http://www.aidsportal.org/news_details.aspx?ID=4236 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081026065259/http://www.aidsportal.org/news_details.aspx?ID=4236 |archive-date=26 October 2008 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=AIDSPortal}}</ref><ref name="Iran">{{Cite web |title=Iran |url=https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1142.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801084310/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1142.html |archive-date=1 August 2013 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Travel.state.gov}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Armenia}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name="Armenia">{{Citation |title=Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia |url=https://www.legislationline.org/documents/id/8872 |publisher=Legislationline |access-date=12 October 2019 |section=Sec. 7 Ch. 18 Art. 141 |archive-date=8 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708003145/https://www.legislationline.org/documents/id/8872 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Azerbaijan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name="INTERPOL">{{Cite web |title=INTERPOL |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaAzerbaijan.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20080229152337/http%3A//www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaAzerbaijan.pdf |archive-date=2008-02-29}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Bahrain}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Bangladesh}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Bhutan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || {{left}} <ref name="Bhutan">{{Cite web |title=Penal Code of Bhutan |url=http://www.judiciary.gov.bt/html/act/PENAL_CODE.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163637/http://www.judiciary.gov.bt/html/act/PENAL%20CODE.pdf |archive-date=6 July 2011 |publisher=Government of Bhutan}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Brunei}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name="Brunei_01" /> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Cambodia}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 15 || 15 || 15 || 15 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|China}} || No || — || — || — || — || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || 18 || 14 || 18 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Gaza Strip}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 15 || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Georgia}} || No || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || {{left}} <ref name="Georgia">{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.humanrights.ge/files/crcreport.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307204223/http://www.humanrights.ge/files/crcreport.pdf |archive-date=7 March 2012 |access-date=2010-07-30 |df=dmy}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Hong Kong}} || No || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || — || 16 || 21 || 21 || 16 || 21 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|India}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Indonesia}} || Yes || 12 || 12 || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || — || — || {{left}} <ref name="Indonesia">{{Cite web |title=Archived Law number 16 of 2019 |url=https://jdihn.go.id/files/4/2019uu016.pdf |archive-date=2 July 2011 |publisher=Government of Indonesia}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Iran}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Iraq}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Israel}} || No || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Japan}} || No || — || — || — || — || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Jordan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name="Jordan">{{Citation|last=Vatter|first=Miguel|title=Carl Schmitt and Sovereignty|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190942359.003.0002|work=Divine Democracy|year=2021|pages=21–66|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/oso/9780190942359.003.0002|isbn=978-0-19-094235-9|access-date=2021-07-18}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Kazakhstan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name="Kazakhstan">{{Cite web |title=Legislation Online |url=http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1681/file/ca1cfb8a67f8a1c2ffe8de6554a3.htm/preview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613061051/http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1681/file/ca1cfb8a67f8a1c2ffe8de6554a3.htm/preview |archive-date=2010-06-13 |access-date=2014-05-17 |publisher=Legislationline.org}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Kuwait}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 17 || 15 || — || — || {{left}} <ref name="Kuwait" /><ref name="unhchr.ch" /> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Kyrgyzstan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name="Kyrgyzstan">{{Cite web |url=https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/4221/file/Kyrgyzstan_CC_1997_%20am_2006_en.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201015048/https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/4221/file/Kyrgyzstan_CC_1997_%20am_2006_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Laos}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 15 || 15 || 15 || 15 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Lebanon}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || {{left}} <ref name="Lebanon">{{Cite web |date=30 November 2007 |title=Juris diarium: Code pénal libanais |url=http://jurisdiarium.blogspot.com/2007/11/code-pnal-libanais.html |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Jurisdiarium.blogspot.com |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917174217/http://jurisdiarium.blogspot.com/2007/11/code-pnal-libanais.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Macau}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Malaysia}} || No || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || — || — || 18 || 18 || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Mongolia}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Myanmar}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Nepal}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|North Korea}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 15 || 15 || 15 || 15 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Oman}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || — || — || {{left}} <ref name="Interpol 2012">{{Cite web |title=Interpol |url=http://www.interpol.com/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaOman.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160516065620/http://www.interpol.com/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaOman.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2016 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Interpol |df=dmy}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Pakistan}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Philippines}} || No || 12 || 12 || 12 || 12 || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Qatar}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 16 || — || — || {{left}} <ref name="Qatar">{{Cite news |date=4 November 2013 |title=Cohabitation laws in Qatar cause confusion for hotel guests |language=en-US |work=Doha News |url=https://dohanews.co/cohabitation-laws-cause-confusion-for-hotel-guests/ |access-date=2018-05-29 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612113240/https://dohanews.co/cohabitation-laws-cause-confusion-for-hotel-guests/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Saudi Arabia}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Singapore}} || No || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || — || 16 || 18 || 18 || — || 18 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|South Korea}} || No || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || {{left}} <ref name="South Korea">{{Cite news |last=Sooyeon |date=April 29, 2020 |title=National Assembly approves bills on sex crimes, internet-only banks |work=Yonhap News |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200429015351315 |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=12 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512073414/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200429015351315 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="South Korea 2020a">{{Cite news |last=김원태 |date=April 30, 2020 |title=한정애의원이 대표 발의한 성범죄 근절 법안 국회 본회의 통과! |work=Daehan News |url=http://www.dhns.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=244559 |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725003455/http://www.dhns.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=244559 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="South Korea 2020b">{{Cite news |last=강주헌 |date=April 30, 2020 |title='불법 성적 촬영물' 다운만 받아도 징역형 가능…'n번방' 아웃 |work=Money Today |url=https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020043011060127693 |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513133859/https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020043011060127693 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Sri Lanka}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Syria}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 15 || 15 || 15 || 15 || {{left}} <ref name="Syria">{{Cite web |title=قانون العقوبات السوري |url=http://www.moj.gov.sy/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11:2013-10-01-20-45-36 |access-date=2019-04-19 |website=moj.gov.sy |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725020212/http://www.moj.gov.sy/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11:2013-10-01-20-45-36 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Taiwan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name="Taiwan">{{Cite book|last=Bahn|first=Paul G.|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t072492|title=Roc de Sers|date=2003|publisher=Oxford University Press|series=Oxford Art Online|doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t072492}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Tajikistan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name="Tajikistan">{{Cite web |title=Tajikistan Criminal Code |url=http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1707/file/207b8150765af2c85ad6f5bb8a44.htm/preview |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Legislationline.org |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111164225/http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1707/file/207b8150765af2c85ad6f5bb8a44.htm/preview |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Thailand}} || No || 15 || 15 || 15 || 15 || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || |- |align=left| {{flagg|pspew|al=c|Timor-Leste|plink=#East Timor}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || {{left}} <ref name=":18">{{Cite web |title=WIPO Intellectual Property Laws and Treaties Database (WIPO Lex) |url=http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id%3D243617 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065054/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=243617 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2015-05-20 |df=dmy}} ([[WIPO Lex]])</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Turkey}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || {{left}} <ref name="turkishpenal" /> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Turkmenistan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || {{left}} <ref name=":19">{{Cite web |title=Interpol |url=http://www.interpol.com/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaTurkmenistan.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927104232/http://www.interpol.com/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaTurkmenistan.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Interpol |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|United Arab Emirates}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 14 || 14 || — || — || {{left}} <ref name=":20">{{Cite web |last=Gulf |first=News |date=November 7, 2020 |title=UAE introduces changes to criminal, civil codes and inheritance law |url=http://gulfnews.com/uae/government/uae-introduces-changes-to-criminal-civil-codes-and-inheritance-law-1.1604737879021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426075909/http://gulfnews.com/uae/government/uae-introduces-changes-to-criminal-civil-codes-and-inheritance-law-1.1604737879021 |archive-date=26 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=Gulf News}}</ref> |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Uzbekistan}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || — || 16 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Vietnam}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|West Bank}} || No || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 16 || 16 || — || — || |- | {{flaglist+section|table=y|Yemen}} || Yes || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 9 || — || — || <section end=table/> |} ==Afghanistan== Sexual activity outside marriage is illegal in [[Afghanistan]]. The minimum age of marriage is 18 for men and 16 for women.<ref name="AIDSPortal" /> ==Armenia== The age of consent in Armenia is '''16'''. ''Article 141. Sexual acts with a person under 16.'' ''Sexual intercourse or other sexual acts with a person obviously under 16, by a person who reached 18 years of age, in the absence of elements of crime envisaged in Articles 138, 139 or 140 of this Code, is punished with correctional labor for the term of up to 2 years, or with imprisonment for the term of up to 2 years.''<ref name="Armenia" /> ==Azerbaijan== The age of consent in Azerbaijan is '''16'''. ''Article 152'' ''Sexual intercourse with the person below the age of 16 years, as well as the same offences linked with satisfaction of sexual passion in perverted forms shall be ''punished by imprisonment up to 3 years''.''<ref name="INTERPOL" /> ==Bahrain== Consensual sex outside of marriage is legally permissible for those 21 and above.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain/opendocpdf.pdf?reldoc=y&docid=589b5cbe4|title=Archived copy|access-date=1 December 2020|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201225248/https://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain/opendocpdf.pdf?reldoc=y&docid=589b5cbe4|url-status=live}}</ref> If a married individual has sex with somebody they are not married to, the person they are married to is given the liberty, by the criminal procedure code, to file for an 'adultery' charge if they wanted to. They are also given the liberty to drop off the charge after filing it if they wanted to. However, the mentioned options would not be available after three months are passed from when the person learned about the adultery. The marriage of course should be recognized by the government for the mentioned options to be provided. The marriageable age is 16 years. Before this age, marriage requires authorization from the Shariah Court of the State of Bahrein. [https://www.icmec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ICMEC-Bahrain-National-Legislation.pdf ] . The minimum age to marry without permission from the girl's father or legal guardian is 21 years.<ref name="ODwyer">{{Cite web |last=O'Dwyer |first=Peter |date=9 April 2014 |title=The age of consent debate: Where does Ireland stand? |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/the-age-of-consent-debate-where-does-ireland-stand-264694.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115215040/http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/the-age-of-consent-debate-where-does-ireland-stand-264694.html |archive-date=15 January 2016 |access-date=14 January 2016 |website=[[Irish Examiner]] |quote=caveats across the globe ranging from women in Bahrain needing to be 21 to consent to sex if marrying without their father’s consent}}</ref> Rape is punished by imprisonment. Since 1986, the penalty is either life imprisonment or possibly the death penalty for victims under 16. Non-consent is assumed for unmarried women under 14.<ref name=UNODC>{{Cite web |title=Penal Cone of Bahrain |url=http://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/bhr/1976/bahrain_penal_code_html/Bahrain_Penal_Code_1976.pdf |access-date=7 March 2013 |publisher=Government of Bahrain |page=100 |quote=Chapter 2 Rape and Sexual Assault<br>Article 344 [s amended by LEGISLATIVE DECREE NO.1 OF 1986]<br>'''Life imprisonment''' shall be the penalty for any person who assaults a woman without her consent. The penalty shall be a '''death sentence''' or life imprisonment if the victim is '''less than sixteen''' years of age. The non-consent of the victim shall be presumed if she is '''less than fourteen''' years of age.<br>Article 345 [s amended by LEGISLATIVE DECREE NO. 7 OF 1985]<br>A prison sentence for a period '''not exceeding twenty''' years shall be the punishment for any person who has sexual intercourse with a female who is '''more than fourteen''' years but has not reached the age of sixteen years, with her consent. A prison sentence of '''no more than 10''' years shall be the sentence for any person who has sexual intercourse with a female who is '''more than sixteen''' years but less than twenty-one years, with her consent.<br>Article 346 [s amended by LEGISLATIVE DECREE NO. 7 OF 1985]<br>A prison sentence for a period '''not exceeding ten''' years shall be the punishment for any person who assaults another against his will. The punishment shall be a prison sentence if the victim is '''less than sixteen''' years. The non-consent of the victim shall be presumed if he is '''less than fourteen''' years.<br>Article 347 [s amended by LEGISLATIVE DECREE NO. 7 OF 1985]<br>A prison sentence shall be the punishment for anyone who assaults a person who is '''more than fourteen''' years but '''less than twenty-one''' years, with his consent. |archive-date=21 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921155851/http://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/bhr/1976/bahrain_penal_code_html/Bahrain_Penal_Code_1976.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> According to article 349 of the updated penal code, the death penalty for the rapist is eligible only if the rape causes death for the sexually assaulted female.<ref name="auto" /> The law presumes non-consent of male victims less than 14 too. There is a prison sentence (maximum 10 years) for male victims under 16 (article 346) while article 347 gives an unspecified prison sentence with consenting male victims under 21. Article 353 specifies: :''No penalty shall be inflicted against a person who has committed one of the crimes set forth in the preceding Articles if he was subject to a final court judgement before concluding the marriage, such judgement shall be subject to a stay of execution and its penal effects shall cease.'' ==Bangladesh== According to the section 9 (1) of the Women and Child Abuse Prevention Act, 2000, it is defined as rape to have sexual intercourse with a woman with or without her consent, when she is under '''sixteen (16)''' years of age.<ref>{{Cite web |title=নারী ও শিশু নির্যাতন দমন আইন, ২০০০ |url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-835/section-32523.html |access-date=24 August 2020 |website=Laws of Bangladesh |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812020404/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-835/section-32523.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Penal Code of Bangladesh considers 14 years as the age of consent, but this is superseded by the act referenced above.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Penal Code, 1860 – 375. Rape |url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-11/section-3231.html |access-date=10 April 2021 |website=Laws of Bangladesh |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410083526/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-11/section-3231.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Article 375 specifies that “A man is said to commit "rape" who except in the case hereinafter excepted, has sexual intercourse with a woman under circumstances falling under any of the five following descriptions... Fifthly. With or without her consent, when she is under 14 years of age”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/bd/bd020en.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711213535/https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/bd/bd020en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Under articles 372 and 373, it is illegal to buy or sell a minor for the purposes of prostitution. Additionally, Article 78 of the Children Act of 2013 makes it illegal for any person having the actual charge or supervision of a child (redefined by the act to mean a person under 18) to lead the child to seduction or induce them to prostitution.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.unicef.org/bangladesh/sites/unicef.org.bangladesh/files/2018-07/Children%20Act%202013%20English.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427143317/https://www.unicef.org/bangladesh/sites/unicef.org.bangladesh/files/2018-07/Children%20Act%202013%20English.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Regardless of age, whoever has sexual intercourse with a person whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the '''offence of adultery'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Penal Code, 1860 &#124; 497. Adultery |url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-11/section-3534.html?lang=en |website=bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd |access-date=10 April 2021 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410080542/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-11/section-3534.html?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Bhutan== The age of consent in [[Bhutan]] is 18 regardless of gender or sexual orientation, according to Article 183 of the Penal Code of Bhutan.<ref name="Bhutan" /> ==Brunei== The age of consent in [[Brunei]] is 16. Article 2 of this Act determines the offence as follows: Any person who has or attempts to have carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of sixteen (16) years except by way of marriage, shall be guilty of an offense: Penalty, imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 2 years and not more than 7 years and to whipping not exceeding 24 strokes of the rattan in the case of an adult or 12 strokes of the rattan in the case of a youthful offender.<ref name="Brunei_01">{{Cite web |year=2006 |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children – Brunei |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaBrunei.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20080229151338/http%3A//www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaBrunei.pdf |archive-date=2008-02-29 |publisher=Interpol}}</ref> ==Cambodia== The age of consent in [[Cambodia]] is 15 regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2010 |title=2009 Human Rights Report: Cambodia |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/eap/135988.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324180847/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/eap/135988.htm |archive-date=24 March 2010 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=State.gov}}</ref> The age of consent in this country is determined by Article 8, of Chapter 4 (''Debauchery'') of the ''Law on Suppression of the Kidnapping, Trafficking, and Exploitation of Human Beings'', which has been specifically enacted to prohibit sex with children under 15. The law prohibits "debauchery" with a child under 15, and this term (the original Cambodian word is {{transl|km|anacha}} has been interpreted by courts to forbid any form of sexual conduct (both consensual and non-consensual; both 'ordinary' sex and paid sex) with a child under 15. This is the main legal tool used to prosecute foreigners engaging in [[child sex tourism]] in Cambodia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2007 |title=Russian Businessman Accused of Abuse in Cambodia's Biggest Pedophilia Case |url=http://www.irrawaddymedia.com/article.php?art_id=9333 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229232127/http://www.irrawaddymedia.com/article.php?art_id=9333 |archive-date=29 February 2012 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Irrawaddymedia.com |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Germans, Americans and Cambodians sentenced in Global drive against child abuse |url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/research/csa/r07031201.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118071842/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/research/csa/r07031201.html |archive-date=18 January 2011 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Preda.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=socheata |date=2 December 2006 |title=KI Media: Frenchman, 2 Cambodians Cleared of Debauchery |url=http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2006/12/frenchman-2-cambodians-cleared-of.html |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Ki-media.blogspot.com |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917162654/http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2006/12/frenchman-2-cambodians-cleared-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=31 October 2006 |title=Questions linger over officer's death in Asia / Colleagues in S.F. recall he often traveled to region |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-10-31/bay-area/17318180_1_san-francisco-police-phnom-penh-ramirez-s-death |access-date=13 October 2010 |archive-date=9 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120709232812/http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-10-31/bay-area/17318180_1_san-francisco-police-phnom-penh-ramirez-s-death |url-status=live }}</ref> Article 8 of the 'Law on Suppression of the Kidnapping, Trafficking, and Exploitation of Human Beings' states, "Any person who commits acts of debauchery involving a minor below 15 years old, even if there is consent from the concerned minor, or even if the person has bought such minor from someone else or from a pimp, shall be punished by ten (10) to twenty (20) years in prison. In case of repeat offenses, the maximum punishment term shall be applied."<ref>http://www.cdpcambodia.org/trafficking_law.asp {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903024138/http://www.cdpcambodia.org/trafficking_law.asp |date=3 September 2010 }}</ref> ==Mainland China== In [[Mainland China]], the age of consent for sexual activity is 14 years, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2010 |title=2009 Human Rights Report: China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau) |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/eap/135989.htm |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=State.gov |df=dmy |archive-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412183010/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/eap/135989.htm |url-status=live }} (). "According to the law, the minimum age of consensual sex is 14."</ref> Chinese law defines statutory rape as having sex with a girl who is less than fourteen years of age. A five-year prison sentence and fine may result if the girl under 14 years of age was acting as a prostitute.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Zhang|first1=Huamin|last3=Li|first3=Xianfeng|last4=Zhang|first4=Jiujun|editor1-first=Huamin|editor1-last=Zhang|editor2-first=Xianfeng|editor2-last=Li|editor3-first=Jiujun|editor3-last=Zhang|date=2017-11-22|title=Redox Flow Batteries|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781315152684|doi=10.1201/9781315152684|isbn=9781315152684|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718020236/https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.1201/9781315152684/redox-flow-batteries-huamin-zhang-huamin-zhang-xianfeng-li-jiujun-zhang|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2015, the law concerning underage prostitutes was [[repealed]]. The Statutory rape law now applies to underage prostitution as well.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shaohui |first=Tian |date=29 August 2015 |title=New law repeals crime of sex with underage prostitutes - Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn |work=[[Xinhua News Agency]] |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-08/29/c_134568431.htm |access-date=17 January 2017 |archive-date=20 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120094643/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-08/29/c_134568431.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Persons with Special Duties towards minor females who have attained the full age of 14 shall be held accountable for rape if they compel the victim engaging in sexual relations with them by taking advantage of their dominant positions or the helpless situations of the victim.<ref>{{Cite news |last=最高人民法院 最高人民检察院 公安部 司法部 |date=25 October 2013 |title=四部门关于依法惩治性侵害未成年人犯罪的意见 {{!}} |work=[[中华人民共和国最高人民检察院]] |url=https://www.spp.gov.cn/zdgz/201310/t20131025_63797.shtml |access-date=25 October 2013 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904103603/http://www.spp.gov.cn/zdgz/201310/t20131025_63797.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2020 there was a proposal to raise the age of consent in the wake of a scandal in the city of [[Yantai]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-04-23 |title=The push to raise China's age of consent from 14 |work=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/china/2020/04/23/the-push-to-raise-chinas-age-of-consent-from-14 |access-date=2020-04-24 |archive-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424111905/https://www.economist.com/china/2020/04/23/the-push-to-raise-chinas-age-of-consent-from-14 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2020 |title=Abuse allegations in China spark calls to raise age of consent from 14 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/abuse-allegations-in-china-spark-calls-to-raise-age-of-consent-from-14 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=25 April 2020 |archive-date=25 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425065923/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/abuse-allegations-in-china-spark-calls-to-raise-age-of-consent-from-14 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021 there was a proposal to criminalize teachers having intercourse with students in primary and junior high levels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yan |first=Alice |date=2021-04-08 |title=China considers banning teachers from sexual relationships with primary and middle school students and new rules on harassment |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/social-welfare/article/3128689/china-considers-banning-teachers-sexual |newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]] |accessdate=2021-04-08 |archive-date=8 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408065135/https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/social-welfare/article/3128689/china-considers-banning-teachers-sexual |url-status=live }}</ref> ==East Timor== The age of consent in [[East Timor]] is 14 regardless of gender or sexual orientation, per Article 177. However, sex acts with an adolescent aged 14–15 years are illegal if an adult practices them with the adolescent by "taking advantage of the inexperience" of that adolescent. (Article 178).<ref name=":18"/> Article 177. Sexual abuse of a minor: # Any person who practices vaginal, anal or oral coitus with a minor aged less than 14 years is punishable with 5 to 20 years' imprisonment. # Any person who practices any act of sexual relief with a minor aged less than 14 years is punishable with 5 to 15 years' imprisonment. Article 178. Sexual acts with an adolescent: # Any person who, being an adult and apart from situations provided in this section, practices any relevant sexual act with a minor aged between 14 and 16 years, taking advantage of the inexperience of the same, is punishable with up to 5 years' imprisonment. ==Georgia== The age of consent in Georgia is 16 as per the Georgian Penal Code Art. 140, and Art. 141.<ref name="Georgia" /> ==Hong Kong== In [[Hong Kong]] the age of consent for sexual activity is 16 regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref name="s">{{Cite web |title=Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) s.124 |url=http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/200/s124.html |access-date=2 March 2010 |publisher=HKLII |archive-date=29 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329071038/http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/200/s124.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the age of consent for a female receiving anal sex is 21.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) s.118D |url=http://www.hklii.org/eng/hk/legis/ord/200/s118D.html |access-date=6 July 2017 |publisher=HKLII |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603063521/https://www.hklii.org/eng/hk/legis/ord/200/s118D.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Under s.124 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap.200),<ref name=s/> a man who has unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years. Under s.123 of the Crimes Ordinance,<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |title=Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) s.123 |url=http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/200/s123.html |access-date=2 March 2010 |publisher=HKLII |archive-date=13 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613014911/http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/200/s123.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a man who has unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 shall be liable to [[imprisonment for life]]. Under s.122 of the Crimes Ordinance,<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web |title=Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) s.122 |url=http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/200/s122.html |access-date=2 March 2010 |publisher=HKLII |archive-date=4 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091204152039/http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/200/s122.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a person under the age of 16 cannot in law give any consent which would prevent an act being an assault for the purposes of [[indecent assault]]. Hence, a woman who has sexual activity with a boy or a girl under 16 will be prosecuted under this section. Under s.127 of the Crimes Ordinance, a person who takes an unmarried girl under the age of 18 out of the possession of her parent or guardian against the will of the parent or guardian with the intention that she shall have unlawful sexual intercourse with men or with a particular man shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 7 years."<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAP 200 CRIMES ORDINANCE Section 127 Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 for sexual intercourse |url=https://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/ord/200/s127.html |access-date=24 November 2019 |website=Hong Kong Legal Information Institute |archive-date=8 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708003107/https://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/ord/200/s127.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The previous position regarding homosexual couples is contained in s.118C which provides that a man who commits or suffers to commit buggery with a man under the age of 21 is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) s.118C |url=http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/200/s118c.html |access-date=2 March 2010 |publisher=HKLII |archive-date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111091731/http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/200/s118c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, this section was struck down as unconstitutional in ''[[Leung TC William Roy v Secretary for Justice]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Result |url=https://legalref.judiciary.hk/lrs/common/search/search_result_detail_frame.jsp?DIS=54227&QS=+&TP=JU&currpage=T |website=legalref.judiciary.hk |access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224183502/https://legalref.judiciary.hk/lrs/common/search/search_result_detail_frame.jsp?DIS=54227&QS=+&TP=JU&currpage=T |url-status=live }}</ref> Hence, the age of consent between two males have been effectively equalized with that between a male and a female, which is 16. Prior to 2012 there was a presumption that a male minor under 14 could not consent to sexual intercourse under any circumstances. The law was changed after a 13-year-old boy attacked a 5-year-old girl at a [[Chai Wan]] hospital ward; the prosecution was unable to convict him of rape, instead only able to do so for indecent assault. In 2015 an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy were arrested after they were found having sex with an 11-year-old girl. Under the new laws they have the possibility of having the maximum sentence of life in prison.<ref>{{Citation|title=Lo malo de lo bueno|date=2011-11-25|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvt9k2xw.6|pages=39–52|publisher=Herder|doi=10.2307/j.ctvt9k2xw.6|isbn=978-84-254-2828-9|access-date=2021-07-18|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718020244/https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvt9k2xw?turn_away=true|url-status=live}}</ref> ==India== [[India]]'s age of consent for sex is 18 under the ''[[Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013]]''.<ref name="2013 rape law">{{Cite news |date=3 April 2013 |title=New anti-rape law comes into force |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-anti-rape-law-comes-into-force/articleshow/19359543.cms?referral=PM |access-date=23 February 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129191530/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-anti-rape-law-comes-into-force/articleshow/19359543.cms?referral=PM |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1892, the [[marital rape]] and subsequent death of a 10-year-old girl, [[Phulmoni Dasi rape case|Phulmoni Dasi]], caused the age of consent to be raised from 10 to 12. In 1949, it was raised to 16 after agitation from women's groups about the adverse effect of early pregnancy. {{citation needed|date=August 2021}} In 1982, it was again raised to 16.<ref name="confusion">{{Cite news |date=1 April 2013 |title=Age of Confusion |work=[[India Today]] |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/age-of-consent-sex-parliament-debate/1/259007.html |access-date=23 February 2014 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228024733/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/age-of-consent-sex-parliament-debate/1/259007.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 3 April 2014 the [[Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013]] came into effect, which raised the legal permissible age for sexual consent from 16 to 18. Although the ''Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013'' initially sought to lower the age to 16, it was set at 18 due to political pressure from conservative parties.<ref name="govt relents">{{Cite news |date=19 March 2013 |title=Govt relents, keeps age of consent for sex at 18 |work=[[Zee News]] |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/govt-relents-keeps-age-of-consent-for-sex-at-18_836107.html |access-date=23 February 2014 |archive-date=12 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212063039/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/govt-relents-keeps-age-of-consent-for-sex-at-18_836107.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Section 375 reads: A man is said to commit "rape" if he (...) Sixthly – With or without her consent, when she is ''under eighteen years of age''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://indiacode.nic.in/acts-in-pdf/132013.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219085123/http://indiacode.nic.in/acts-in-pdf/132013.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2016 |access-date=2013-12-25 |df=dmy}}</ref> === Legal action on marital rape === Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 disallows any such sexual relationships and puts such crimes within marriages as an aggravated offense. A Public Interest Litigation filled by Independent Thought, an organization working on child rights law, was heard in the Supreme Court of India for declaring the exception allowing marital rape within prohibited child marriages as unconstitutional: ''Independent Thought vs. Union of India [W.P(civil) 382 of 2013]''. In the judgment, delivered on 11 October, the Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta read down Exception 2 to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to hold that sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife if she is below 15 years of age would amount to rape. According to Section 375 Exception, Sexual Intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape. The [[Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code]] bans "carnal intercourse against the order of nature". It was used to prosecute people for having anal or oral sex, although prosecutions were rare. The law was constitutionally challenged and subsequently read down by the [[Delhi High Court]] in 2009 for violating the human rights of sexual minorities.<ref name="homo_sex">{{Cite news |date=2 July 2009 |title=Delhi HC invokes Nehru, legalises gay sex |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/delhi-high-court-legalises-gay-sex/484039/ |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-date=4 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204175119/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/delhi-high-court-legalises-gay-sex/484039 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, the Supreme Court overturned the Delhi High Court's judgment, recriminalizing homosexuality. However, in 2018, the Supreme Court, on hearing a fresh batch of petitions, declared some parts of the law unconstitutional on the issue, setting the age of consent for consensual homosexual sex at 18. ==Indonesia== According to the Indonesian Penal Code article 287, the age of consent in [[Indonesia]] is 15 years old.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana |publisher=[[Supreme Court of Indonesia|Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia]]}}</ref> The age of consent is the minimum age at which an individual is considered legally old enough to consent to participation in sexual activity. Individuals aged 14 or younger in Indonesia are not legally able to consent to sexual activity, and such activity may result in prosecution for statutory rape or the equivalent local law. Even though the age of consent is 15 years old, the offender can only be charged and prosecuted if a legal complaint is lodged to the law enforcement. Exception to this law is when the age of the victim is under 12 years old, or under certain circumstances such as bodily injury or incest. However, under the Child Protection Act, the age of consent could be raised to 18.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kejaksaan Negeri |title=Law of The Republic Of Indonesia Number 35 Year 2014 Concerning Amendment To Law Number 23 Year 2002 Regarding Child Protection |year=2014}}</ref> The argument used is that sexual acts with a child could result in bodily and mental injury, while the definition of a child is anyone who is under 18 years old. A reported court verdict using the Child Protection Act was done in 2009 against an Australian national.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allard |first=Tom |date=27 February 2009 |title=Australian gets eight years in Bali jail for under-age sex |language=en |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/australian-gets-eight-years-in-bali-jail-for-underage-sex-20090226-8jaf.html |access-date=2017-06-29 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206183405/http://www.smh.com.au/world/australian-gets-eight-years-in-bali-jail-for-underage-sex-20090226-8jaf.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Iran== Sex outside of marriage is illegal in [[Iran]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tait |first=Robert |date=29 December 2008 |title=Premarital sex on rise as Iranians delay marriage, survey finds |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/29/iran-gender |access-date=21 February 2016 |archive-date=21 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221190545/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/29/iran-gender |url-status=live }}</ref> The minimum age of marriage in Iran is 15 for men and 13 for women.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Curtis |first1=Glen E. |url=https://archive.org/details/irancountrystudy00curt_2/page/114 |title=Iran: a country study |last2=Hooglund |first2=Eric |date=2008 |publisher=Library of Congress, Federal Research Division |isbn=978-0-8444-1187-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/irancountrystudy00curt_2/page/114 114] |access-date=2014-10-15 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=ABRAHAMIAN, ROUBEN|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2330-4804_eiro_com_11236|access-date=2021-07-18|website=Encyclopaedia Iranica Online|doi=10.1163/2330-4804_eiro_com_11236|journal=|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718020231/https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-iranica-online/*-COM_11236|url-status=live}}</ref> Ways around these regulations include temporary marriages ([[Nikah mut‘ah]]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2000 |title=Temporary marriages |url=http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/tmpmrig.htm |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Library.cornell.edu |archive-date=4 March 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010304195736/http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/tmpmrig.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> With the permission of a court, girls may marry at a younger age. In 2010, as many as 42,000 children aged between 10 and 14 were married,<ref>{{Cite news |last=The Guardian |date=26 September 2013 |title=The Guardian, 26 September 2013 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/iran-lawmakers-men-wed-adopted-daughters |access-date=10 December 2016 |archive-date=18 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218085317/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/iran-lawmakers-men-wed-adopted-daughters |url-status=live }}</ref> and 716 girls younger than 10 had wed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=The Telegraph |date=26 August 2012 |title=The Telegraph, 26 Aug 2012 |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9500484/Alarm-as-hundreds-of-children-under-age-of-10-married-in-Iran.html |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=9 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309123330/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9500484/Alarm-as-hundreds-of-children-under-age-of-10-married-in-Iran.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Iraq== The age of consent in [[Iraq]] is 18. "Any person who sexually assaults a boy or girl under the age of 18 without the use of force, menaces or deception is punishable by detention..." "Any person who has sexual intercourse with a female relative to the third generation under the age of 15 with her consent and the offence leads to her death, to pregnancy or loss of virginity [is punishable by jail]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=School of Law &#124; Case Western Reserve University |url=http://law.case.edu/saddamtrial/documents/Iraqi_Penal_Code_1969.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021100954/http://law.case.edu/saddamtrial/documents/Iraqi_Penal_Code_1969.pdf |archive-date=21 October 2012 |access-date=2012-10-21 |df=dmy}}</ref> However, the age of consent might change in the future to age nine for females and 15 for males.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zangana |first=Haifa |date=14 March 2014 |title=Ja'fari law takes the Iraqi government's violation of women's rights to a new level &#124; Haifa Zangana |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/14/jafari-law-iraqi-violation-women-rights-marital-rape |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808113535/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/14/jafari-law-iraqi-violation-women-rights-marital-rape |archive-date=8 August 2016 |via=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Bixby|first=Scott|date=2014-04-09|title=Iraq Wants To Legalize Child Marriage|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/09/iraq-wants-to-legalize-child-marriage|access-date=2021-07-18|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718020233/https://www.thedailybeast.com/iraq-wants-to-legalize-child-marriage|url-status=live}}</ref> However, some reporters believe that the draft suggests that there will not be an age of consent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iraqi law would legalize marital rape, child marriage for country's Shia |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/4/27/iraqi-shiites-protestproposedfamilylaw.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405163315/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/4/27/iraqi-shiites-protestproposedfamilylaw.html |archive-date=5 April 2016 |website=america.aljazeera.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iraqi Shiite law legalises marital rape |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/iraqi-shiite-law-legalises-marital-rape-1-3341458 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118054328/http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/iraqi-shiite-law-legalises-marital-rape-1-3341458 |archive-date=18 November 2016 |website=scotsman.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2014 |title=Iraq moves bill to legalise child marriage and marital rape, sparks fury |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/iraq-moves-bill-to-legalise-child-marriage-and-marital-rape-sparks-fury/story-YVILDl0joU1wjHphGPUniM.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084650/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/iraq-moves-bill-to-legalise-child-marriage-and-marital-rape-sparks-fury/article1-1196971.aspx |archive-date=19 August 2014 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> ==Israel== According to the Israeli Penal Code of 1977 the age of consent in [[Israel]] is 16 regardless of gender or sexual orientation, for any form of sexual relations involving penetration (unless the person above 16 is the one being penetrated - in that case the age of consent is 14). In all cases that don't involve penetration, the age of consent is 14 (for both heterosexual and homosexual activities). A special case arises when a person aged 14 or 15 had sexual relations with an older partner; in this case the older partner would be exempt of criminal liability if three conditions are met: the age difference between the partners was less than three years, the younger partner gave consent and the act was done out of "regular friendly relations" and without the abuse of power.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} ==Japan== The [[Penal Code of Japan]] (1907) sets a national age of consent of 13.<ref name="West">{{Cite book |last=West |first=Mark D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A9CDvNs35ooC&pg=PA254 |title=Secrets, Sex, and Spectacle: The Rules of Scandal in Japan and the United States |date=2008 |publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]] |isbn=978-0-2268-9411-9 |pages=254–255 |access-date=26 January 2021 |archive-date=8 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708003147/https://books.google.com/books?id=A9CDvNs35ooC&pg=PA254 |url-status=live }}</ref> Article 176 ('Forcible Indecency') stipulates a penalty of 6 months to 10 years of imprisonment for "indecent acts" committed upon males and females under the age of 13, and Article 177 ('Rape') stipulates a minimum sentence of 3 years for [[sexual intercourse]] with females under the age of 13.<ref name="Japanese Penal Code">{{Cite web |date=1907 |title=English translation of the Penal Code |url=http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/hourei/data/PC.pdf |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice (Japan)|Japanese Ministry of Justice]] |page=37 |quote=Article 176. (Forcible Indecency) – 'A person who, through assault or intimidation, forcibly commits an indecent act upon a male or female of not less than thirteen years of age shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not less than 6 months but not more than 10 years. The same shall apply to a person who commits an indecent act upon a male or female under thirteen years of age.' Article 177. (Rape) – 'A person who, through assault or intimidation, forcibly commits sexual intercourse with a female of not less than thirteen years of age commits the crime of rape and shall be punished by imprisonment with work for a definite term of not less than 3 years. The same shall apply to a person who commits sexual intercourse with a female under thirteen years of age.' |orig-date=amended 2006 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=22 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722072904/http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/hourei/data/PC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Article 177 was amended<ref>{{Cite web |date=1907 |title=Penal Code |url=http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail/?yo=刑法 |website=Japanese Law Translation |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice (Japan)|Japanese Ministry of Justice]] |quote=Article 177 (Indecency through Compulsion) – 'A person who, through assault or intimidation forcibly engages in vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse or oral intercourse (hereinafter referred to as "sexual intercourse") with another person of not less than thirteen years of age is guilty of the crime of forcible sexual intercourse, and is punished by imprisonment for a definite term of not less than 5 years. The same applies to a person who engages in sexual intercourse against another person under thirteen years of age.' |orig-date=amended 2017}}</ref> to specify vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse and expanded to include all persons (male and female) under 13. The amendment also increased the minimum prison sentence from 3 years to 5 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2017 |script-title=ja:改正刑法施行は7月13日 性犯罪を厳罰化 |language=ja |trans-title=Enforcement of the revised Penal Code on July 13 will make sex crimes more punishable |work=[[The Nikkei]] |url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASDG23H21_T20C17A6CR0000 |access-date=2 March 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024093836/https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASDG23H21_T20C17A6CR0000/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Several national and local laws further regulate adolescent sexual acts.<ref name="McLelland">{{Cite journal |last=McLelland |first=Mark J. |date=2011 |title=Thought policing or the protection of youth? Debate in Japan over the "Nonexistent youth bill" |url=https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1272&context=artspapers |journal=International Journal of Comic Art |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=348–367 |access-date=2 March 2021 |archive-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504012956/https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1272&context=artspapers |url-status=live }}</ref> The anti-prostitution clause of the national {{nihongo foot|''Child Welfare Act'' (1947)|児童福祉法|Jidō Fukushi Hō|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} forbids "causing" individuals under 18 to perform sexual acts<ref>{{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Child Welfare Act |url=http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail/?id=11 |website=Japanese Law Translation |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice (Japan)|Japanese Ministry of Justice]] |quote=Article 34　(1)　No person shall commit an act listed in any of the following items: ... (vi)　Cause a child to commit an obscene act |orig-date=amended 2009}}</ref> through direct or indirect physical or psychological pressuring, but does not prohibit otherwise-consensual acts.<ref name="West" /> An array of local ordinances adopted in all [[Prefectures of Japan|47 prefectures]]{{efn|12 prefectures adopted such a law in the 1950s, 19 in the 1960s, 13 in the 1970s, and 2 in the 1980s. By 1998, all prefectures except [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]] (later adopted in 2016) had an adolescent ordinance in its bylaws.<ref name="Akabayashi" />}} known as {{nihongo||[[w:ja:青少年保護育成条例|青少年保護育成条例]]|Seishōnen Hogo Ikusei Jōrei|"Bylaws for Protecting and Nurturing Adolescents"}} forbid sexual acts judged {{nihongo|"indecent"|淫行|inkō}} between adolescents (persons under 18) and adults;<ref name="Akabayashi">{{Cite web |last1=Akabayashi |first1=Hideo |last2=Toda |first2=Akihito |date=14 March 2017 |title=Prohibiting Sex or Prohibiting True Love? An Empirical Assessment of Effect of Statutory Rape Law on Teenage Marriage in Japan |url=https://ies.keio.ac.jp/en/publications/7411/ |website=Institute for Economic Studies |publisher=[[Keio University]] |pages=6–7 |access-date=6 February 2021 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410224920/https://ies.keio.ac.jp/en/publications/7411/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the laws do not punish sexual acts solely between adolescents.<ref name="McLelland" /> A 1985 decision of the [[Supreme Court of Japan]] on [[Fukuoka Prefecture]]'s bylaw held that the ordinances were not to be broadly interpreted as forbidding all adult–adolescent sexual acts, but rather narrowly interpreted as forbidding those acts "conducted by unfair means that take advantage of the juvenile's mental or physical immaturity, such as by enticing, threatening, deceiving, or confusing, as well as [acts] where the juvenile is treated merely as an object to satisfy one's own sexual desires."<ref name="1985SupremeCourt">{{Cite web |date=October 23, 1985 |title=Supreme Court Grand Bench Judgement (Case 1982(A)621) |url=https://www.courts.go.jp/app/files/hanrei_jp/269/050269_hanrei.pdf |publisher=[[Supreme Court of Japan]] |page=2 |language=ja |quote=本条例一〇条一項の規定にいう「淫行」 とは、広く青少年に対する性行為一般をいうものと解すべきではなく、青少年を誘 惑し、威迫し、欺罔し又は困惑させる等その心身の未成熟に乗じた不当な手段によ り行う性交又は性交類似行為のほか、青少年を単に自己の性的欲望を満足させるた めの対象として扱つているとしか認められないような性交又は性交類似行為をいう ものと解するのが相当である。[...] けだし、右の「淫行」を広く青少年に対する性行為 一般を指すものと解するときは、「淫らな」性行為を指す「淫行」の用語自体の意 義に添わないばかりでなく、例えば婚約中の青少年又はこれに準ずる真摯な交際関 係にある青少年との間で行われる性行為等、社会通念上およそ処罰 |access-date=3 March 2021 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214062451/https://www.courts.go.jp/app/files/hanrei_jp/269/050269_hanrei.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="McLelland" /> The court also ruled that adult–adolescent sexual acts within "socially accepted norms", such as those within marriage, engagement, or a "similar sincere relationship", were not "indecent".<ref name="1985SupremeCourt" /><ref name="Akabayashi" /> As of 2004, about 1,000 offenses by adults are punished annually under the bylaws; a typical penalty is a ¥300,000 fine and a [[suspended sentence]].<ref name="West" /> In 2020, a group of university students submitted a petition to the government to raise the national age of consent under the Penal Code to 16.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-21 |title=Students submit petition to raise age of consent from 13 to 16 |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13951064 |access-date=2020-11-22 |newspaper=[[Asahi Shimbun]] |archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122151037/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13951064 |url-status=live }}</ref> ur mom likes to suck deez nutz ==Jordan== The age of consent in [[Jordan]] is 16 regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref name="Jordan" /> ==Kazakhstan== The age of consent in Kazakhstan is '''16''', according to article 122 of the Crime Criminal Code. ''Article 122''. Sexual Intercourse and Other Actions of a Sexual Character with a Person Under Sixteen Years of Age Sexual intercourse, sodomy, or lesbianism or other acts of sexual nature, with a person who did not reach sixteen years of age, the guilty party being aware of that fact, shall be punished by restriction of freedom for a period up to three years, or by detention under arrest for a period up to six months, or deprivation of freedom for a period up to five years.<ref name="Kazakhstan" /> ==Kuwait== Sexual activity outside marriage is illegal in [[Kuwait]].<ref name="Kuwait">{{Cite web |title=Summary record of the 488th meeting : Kuwait |url=http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/2f5665ae20b956cb8025675a0033cafb?Opendocument |access-date=2009-09-05 |publisher=Committee on the Rights of the Child |archive-date=31 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031125832/http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/2f5665ae20b956cb8025675a0033cafb?Opendocument |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="unhchr.ch">{{Cite web |title=United Nations Human Rights Website – Treaty Bodies Database – Document – Summary Record – Kuwait |url=http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/2f5665ae20b956cb8025675a0033cafb?Opendocument |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031125832/http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/2f5665ae20b956cb8025675a0033cafb?Opendocument |archive-date=2015-10-31 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Unhchr.ch}}</ref> The marriageable age is 15 for girls and 17 for boys.<ref name="unhchr.ch" /> ==Kyrgyzstan== The age of consent in [[Kyrgyzstan]] is 16. This is established by Article 132 of the penal code, and only applies to offenders over age 18. Article 133 forbids "lecherous actions" against persons below 14 committed without violence. Anyone aged 16 (the general age of criminal responsibility) or above can be punished under this section.<ref name="Kyrgyzstan" /> ==Laos== The age of consent in [[Laos]] is 15 regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref>{{Cite book|date=2007-10-18|title=Joe Guy|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781408167809.00000004|journal=Joe Guy|doi=10.5040/9781408167809.00000004|isbn=9781408167809|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718020240/https://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/playtext-overview?docid=do-9781408167809&tocid=do-9781408167809-div-00000004|url-status=live}}</ref> Article 129 of the Laos ''Penal Code'' provides for a penalty of 1–5 years' imprisonment and a fine of 2–5 million kip.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interpol: Laos |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaLaos.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20080229152549/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaLaos.pdf |archive-date=2008-02-29}}</ref> ==Lebanon== The age of consent for sex in [[Lebanon]] is 18 for both males and females in regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref name="Lebanon" /> Article 505 of the Penal Code states, "Whoever commits a sexual act with a minor of less than fifteen (15) years, shall be punished with hard labor of up to fifteen (15) years. This penalty shall be for a minimum of five (5) years, if the victim has not attained the age of twelve (12) years. And whoever commits a sexual act with a minor aged more than fifteen (15) years but less than eighteen (18) years, shall be punished by imprisonment for a period varying between 2 months and 2 years." ==Macau== The general age of consent in [[Macau]] is 14, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Although people under the age of 18 years are considered minors, the Criminal Code does not criminalize sex with people older than 16 years of age (except in the specific case of minors aged 16 to 18 years old entrusted to an adult for education or assistance purposes whom have abused such position (article 167/1(b) of the Macau Criminal Code)). Sex with minors younger than 14 years old is more severely punished (1 to 8 years' imprisonment) than with minors aged 14 to 16 years old (up to 4 years' imprisonment if the perpetrator abused the minor's inexperience). Anal sex, irrespective of the gender or orientation of the participants (male-male, female-female, male-female), has an aggravated punishment (3 to 10 years of jail if practiced with a minor under the age of 14 and up to 4 years if practiced with an older minor).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Redirect page |url=http://bo.io.gov.mo/bo/i/95/46/codpenpt/codpen0101.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328050908/http://bo.io.gov.mo/bo/i/95/46/codpenpt/codpen0101.asp |archive-date=28 March 2016 |access-date=2015-09-01 |df=dmy}}</ref> ==Malaysia== The de facto age of consent for heterosexual sex in [[Malaysia]] is '''18''' for both sexes, as [[LGBT rights in Malaysia|homosexual activity in Malaysia is illegal]]. Under the Malaysian Penal Code (Act 574), Section 375, the specified age is 16; {{Quote| Rape. A man is said to commit "rape" who, except in the case hereinafter excepted, has sexual intercourse with a woman under circumstances falling under any of the following descriptions: (...) Sixthly – With or without her consent, when she is under sixteen years of age.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malaysia: Laws of Malaysia, Act 574: Penal Code, Section 375 – Rape |url=http://www.agc.gov.my/agcportal/uploads/files/Publications/LOM/EN/Penal%20Code%20%5BAct%20574%5D2.pdf |access-date=13 December 2016 |publisher=Parliament of Malaysia |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203104609/http://www.agc.gov.my/agcportal/uploads/files/Publications/LOM/EN/Penal%20Code%20&#91;Act%20574&#93;2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>|}} However, Article 17 the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act of 2017 makes any sexual touching of a child (defined as under 18 years) punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputaktap/aktaBI_20170707_WJW008739BI.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123192019/http://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputaktap/aktaBI_20170707_WJW008739BI.pdf |archive-date=23 November 2018 |access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref> ==Maldives== Sexual activity outside marriage is illegal in [[Maldives]]. The legal age of marriage is 18 for both males and females. As Maldivians follow the Islamic Shariah, girls below the age of 18 can get married with parental consent. Done otherwise, it would be a crime. Engaging in any type of sexual interaction is illegal before marriage.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}} ==Mongolia== The age of consent in [[Mongolia]] is 16, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Word – Mongolia Template Start.doc |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaMongolia.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20080229151944/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaMongolia.pdf |archive-date=2008-02-29}}</ref> ==Myanmar== The age of consent in Myanmar is '''16'''. It was raised from 14 with the amendment of penal code section 375, paragraph 5 in 2016. If married, the legal age is now 15.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2017 |title=Proposed amendments raise statutory rape age to 15 |url=https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/yangon/26356-proposed-amendments-raise-statutory-rape-age-to-15.html |website=The Myanmar Times |access-date=9 May 2019 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509030953/https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/yangon/26356-proposed-amendments-raise-statutory-rape-age-to-15.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Nepal== The age of consent in [[Nepal]] is 18 regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civil Code of Nepal 2017 |url=http://www.moljpa.gov.np/en/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Civil-code.pdf |access-date=27 June 2020 |website=moljpa.gov.np/ |language=en |archive-date=29 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529084652/http://www.moljpa.gov.np/en/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Civil-code.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> ==North Korea== The age of consent in [[North Korea]] is 15. Article 153 of the criminal law states that a man who has sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15 shall be "punished gravely."<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2010 |title=2009 Human Rights Report: Democratic People's Republic of Korea |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/eap/135995.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324230107/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/eap/135995.htm |archive-date=24 March 2010 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=State.gov}}</ref> ==Oman== Sexual activity outside marriage is illegal in [[Oman]].<ref name="Interpol 2012" /> ==Pakistan== Sexual activity outside marriage is illegal in [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith-Spark |first=Laura |date=1 October 2004 |title=What is a 'right' age of consent? |work=[[BBC Online]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3699814.stm |access-date=10 June 2015 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125005409/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3699814.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The normal minimum legal age for marriage is 18 for both boys and girls.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 April 2019 |title=Pak Senate Passes Bill To Set Puberty Age For Girls At 18: Report |work=NDTV |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-senate-passes-bill-to-set-puberty-age-for-girls-at-18-report-2030753 |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=12 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812042755/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-senate-passes-bill-to-set-puberty-age-for-girls-at-18-report-2030753 |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Palestinian Territories== ===Gaza Strip=== In the [[Gaza Strip]], any kind of sexual activity outside [[marriage]] is [[Crime|illegal]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jordanian Penal Code No.16 of 1960 (selected provisions relating to women) – 2: Title VII – Offences against Public Ethics and Morality – Chapter I – Offences against Honour |url=http://corpus.learningpartnership.org/jordanian-penal-code-no-16-of-1960-selected-provisions-relating-to-women-2-title-vii-offences-against-public-ethics-and-morality-chapter-i-offences-against-honour |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110225449/http://corpus.learningpartnership.org/jordanian-penal-code-no-16-of-1960-selected-provisions-relating-to-women-2-title-vii-offences-against-public-ethics-and-morality-chapter-i-offences-against-honour |archive-date=10 November 2017 |access-date=11 November 2017 |website=Corpus of Laws |df=dmy-all}}</ref> ===West Bank=== The age of sexual consent is the same as in Jordanian Article 306 of the Penal Code. Consensual sex is legal at the age of 16 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jordan Penal Code (1960) |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/265701032/Jordan-Penal-Code-1960 |access-date=10 November 2017 |website=Scribd |publisher=Social Media Exchange Association |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725002713/https://www.scribd.com/document/265701032/Jordan-Penal-Code-1960 |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Philippines== The minimum age for consensual sex is 12 years. [[United States' Country Reports on Human Rights Practices]] lists the age of consent of [[Philippines]] as 12.<ref name="state.gov">{{Cite web |title=Philippines |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2013/eap/220224.htm |access-date=2015-06-08 |df=dmy |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725003948/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2013/eap/220224.htm |url-status=live }} on 2013-02-27)</ref> Sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 12 is defined as rape, under Chapter 3, Article 266 of the Anti-Rape Law of 1997.<ref name="state.gov" /> {{quote|The minimum age for consensual sex is 12 years. The statutory rape law criminalizes sex with minors under age 12 and sex with a child under age 18 involving force, threat, or intimidation. The maximum penalty for child rape is 40 years in prison plus a lifetime bar from political office.<ref name="state.gov" />}} However, while consensual sex with a person under age 18 is not statutory rape, it is still a violation of the law if the child is found to be "exploited in prostitution or subject to other sexual abuse".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Acosta|first=Persida|date=2017-01-08|title=Consensual sex with a minor a violation of the law|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/01/08/legal-advice/dearpao/consensual-sex-minor-violation-law/305807|access-date=2021-07-18|website=The Manila Times|language=en|archive-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203175649/https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/01/08/legal-advice/dearpao/consensual-sex-minor-violation-law/305807/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Republic Act No. 7610,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=R.A. 7610 |url=https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7610_1992.html |website=www.lawphil.net |access-date=3 December 2019 |archive-date=3 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203151137/https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7610_1992.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a child is defined as a person below 18 years of age and the law reads: {{quote|Article III, Section 5. Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse. :Children, whether male or female, who for money, profit, or any other consideration or due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group, indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct, are deemed to be children exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Ac |url=http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/population/database/poplaws/law_phi/phi_018.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040223233428/http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/population/database/poplaws/law_phi/phi_018.htm |archive-date=23 February 2004 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Unescap.org |df=dmy-all}}</ref>}} "Other sexual abuse" requires "some form of compulsion equivalent to intimidation". The courts have specified that "influence" means "improper use of power or trust in any way that deprives a person of free will and substitutes anothers objective".<ref>{{Cite web |title=G.R. No. 198732, June 10, 2013 - CHRISTIAN CABALLO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent. : JUNE 2013 - PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT JURISPRUDENCE - CHANROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY |url=http://www.chanrobles.com/cralaw/2013junedecisions.php?id=483 |website=chanrobles.com |access-date=27 September 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814033819/http://chanrobles.com/cralaw/2013junedecisions.php?id=483 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although it does not specifically deal with sexual activity, Article VI, Section 10 of Republic Act 7610 can be considered to establish a de facto maximum close in age exception of 10 years for minors aged 12–17. {{quote|ARTICLE VI Other Acts of Abuse :Section 10. Other Acts of Neglect, Abuse, Cruelty or Exploitation and Other Conditions Prejudicial to the Child's Development... (b) Any person who shall keep or have in his company a minor, twelve (12) years or under or who in ten (10) years or more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor, beach and/or other tourist resort or similar places shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000): Provided, That this provision shall not apply to any person who is related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity or any bond recognized by law, local custom and tradition or acts in the performance of a social, moral or legal duty.<ref name="auto1" />}} Articles 337–338 of the same Anti-Rape Law of 1997 specifies the crime of "simple seduction"; this requires gaining the consent of a 12-17-year-old through the use of deceit (generally a false promise of marriage),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.un.org/Depts/los/LEGISLATIONANDTREATIES/PDFFILES/PHL_revised_penal_code.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=27 September 2019 |archive-date=12 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212203328/https://www.un.org/Depts/los/LEGISLATIONANDTREATIES/PDFFILES/PHL_revised_penal_code.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and Article 343 that defines eloping with a girl 12–18 as consented abduction, which is also outlawed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=M. G.|title=Age of consent in the Philippines: Is it really just 12 years old? &#124; Philippines Lifestyle News|url=https://philippineslifestyle.com/age-of-consent-philippines/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=philippineslifestyle.com|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125064018/https://philippineslifestyle.com/age-of-consent-philippines/|url-status=live}}</ref> Proposals have been made to increase the age of sexual consent from the current 12 to 18 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-09 |title=De Lima wants to raise age of sexual consent from 12 to 18 |url=https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2019/0809_delima3.asp |access-date=2020-02-09 |website=senate.gov.ph |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725002014/https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2019/0809_delima3.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020 the [[Philippine House of Representatives]] Committees on Revision of Laws and Welfare of Children passed a proposal to raise it to 16.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-27 |title=House panels approve bill raising age for statutory rape to 16 |url=http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/8/27/House-panels-approve-bill-statutory-rape-age-16.html |access-date=2020-08-27 |publisher=[[CNN Philippines]] |archive-date=28 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828031612/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/8/27/House-panels-approve-bill-statutory-rape-age-16.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Qatar== Any kind of sexual activity outside marriage is illegal.<ref name="Qatar" /> According to the Family Act, the minimum age of marriage is 18 for boys and 16 for girls. The court may allow a marriage below the minimum age, but it requires the consent of the legal guardian as well as the consent of the two persons to be married. ==Saudi Arabia== Any kind of sexual activity outside marriage is illegal in [[Saudi Arabia]]. In 2019, Saudi Arabia officially banned all marriages under the age of 18 for both men and women.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-23 |title=Ministry of Justice bans marriage under 18 |url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/585608 |access-date=2020-11-24 |website=Saudigazette |language=en |archive-date=27 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227183957/https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/585608 |url-status=live }}</ref> The push to ban child marriage was initially opposed by senior clergy, who argued that a woman reaches adulthood at puberty. However, the [[Saudi Shura Council]] had outlawed marriages under the age of 15, and required court approval for those under 18.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saudi Arabia moves to ban child marriage with a new ruling |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/gcc/saudi-arabia-moves-to-ban-child-marriage-with-a-new-ruling-1.955310 |access-date=2020-11-24 |website=The National |language=en |archive-date=8 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708003057/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/gcc/saudi-arabia-moves-to-ban-child-marriage-with-a-new-ruling-1.955310 |url-status=live }}</ref> In accordance with the Child Protection Law, the law has a provision that states “Before the conclusion of the marriage contract, it is necessary to ensure that a person marrying under the age of 18 will not be harmed, whether male or female.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saudi Arabia has curbed, not banned, underage marriages |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/12/27/saudi-arabia-has-curbed-not-banned-marriages-under-18.html |access-date=2020-11-24 |website=The Week |language=en |archive-date=8 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708003046/https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/12/27/saudi-arabia-has-curbed-not-banned-marriages-under-18.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Singapore== The age of consent in [[Singapore]] is 16 for all male and female sexual activity: "Section 140: (1) Any person who – (...) (i) has carnal connection with any girl below the age of 16 years except by way of marriage (...) – shall be guilty of an offence."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Singapore Statutes OnLine |url=http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/html/homepage.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004160353/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/html/homepage.html |archive-date=4 October 2009 |access-date=1 October 2009}}</ref> In addition, Sections 375, 376, 376A, 376AA, 376EA, 376EC, 376EE, 377BL and 377D criminalize sexual activity with individuals below age 18 if the relationship is deemed exploitative of the younger partner. Section 377CA stipulates that the court can determine if such a relationship is exploitative depending on the "circumstances of each case" - including age gap between the accused and the youth, the nature of the relationship, and the degree of control or influence exercised by the accused person over the minor. It also stipulates that - unless the accused is married to the younger partner - such relationships will be deemed exploitative until proven otherwise, if: :(a) the accused person is the parent, step-parent, guardian or foster parent of the minor; :(b) the accused person is the de facto partner of the parent, guardian or foster parent of the minor; :(c) the accused person is a member of the teaching or management staff of the school or educational institution at which the minor is a student; :(d) the accused person has an established personal relationship with the minor in connection with the provision of religious, sporting, musical or other instruction to the minor; :(e) the accused person is a custodial officer of an institution in which the minor is detained; :(f) the accused person is a registered medical practitioner, a registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or a psychologist and the minor is a patient of the accused person; :(g) the accused person is an advocate and solicitor or a counsellor and the minor is a client of the accused person. In addition, Section 376B criminalizes commercial sexual activity with youth under 18 - regardless of whether it occurs within or outside Singapore. Section 376D also further criminalizes attempting to travel outside Singapore for the purposes of committing such actions outside Singapore. Under section 377A (outrages on decency) in the [[Penal Code]] states: "Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years." This means that all male same-sex sexual activity (including mutual masturbation, oral or anal sex) is still illegal and the punishment is up to two (2) years jail, based on the [[Offences Against The Person Act 1861]]. ==South Korea== In [[South Korea]], sexual activity with a person under the age of 16 (in international age, not "[[East Asian age reckoning|Korean age]]") is considered statutory rape, unless the other party is under 19. Sex with a child under 13 is considered statutory rape under all circumstances. Prior to 2020 the age of consent in South Korea was 13 as set by Japan under colonial rule.<ref name="South Korea" /> ==Sri Lanka== The age of consent in [[Sri Lanka]] is 16 regardless of gender or sexual orientation. However, girls belonging to Sri Lanka's Moor and Malay minorities representing approximately 10% of the national population are allowed to marry after 12 years of age and below the age of 12 with the approval of the religious leader, Moulavi and either father, brother, uncle, grandfather. (...) (e) with or without her consent when she is under sixteen years of age, unless the woman is his wife who is over twelve years of age and is not judicially separated from the man.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LawNet :: Government of Sri Lanka |url=http://www.lawnet.lk/sec_process.php?chapterid=2001Y1V19C&sectionno=363&title=PENAL_CODE&path=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311072013/http://www.lawnet.lk/sec_process.php?chapterid=2001Y1V19C&sectionno=363&title=PENAL%20CODE&path=5 |archive-date=11 March 2012 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Lawnet.lk}}</ref> 365B. (1) Grave sexual abuse is committed any person who, for sexual gratification, does any act, by the use of his genitals or any other part of the human body or any Instrument on any orifice or part of the body of any other person, being an act which does not amount to rape under section 363, in circumstances falling under any of the following descriptions, that is to say: (a) without the consent of the other person; (aa) with or without the consent of the other person when the other person is under sixteen years of age; (...)<ref>{{Cite web |title=LawNet :: Government of Sri Lanka |url=http://www.lawnet.lk/sec_process.php?chapterid=2001Y1V19C&sectionno=365B&title=PENAL-CODE&path=5 |access-date=11 April 2012 |publisher=Lawnet.lk |df=dmy-all}}{{dead link|date=July 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ==Syria== The age of consent in [[Syria]] is 15, per ''Article 491''. ''Article 491'': 1. Every person who has sexual intercourse with a minor under 15 years of age shall be liable to a term of nine years' imprisonment at hard labour. 2. The said term shall be not less than 15 years if the child is under 12 years of age.<ref name="Syria" /> ==Taiwan== The age of consent in [[Taiwan]] is 16 regardless of sex. The sentence is reduced or exempted if the offender is under 19. If the offender is under 18, it's an [[Antragsdelikt|offense indictable only upon a complaint]].<ref name="Taiwan" /> ==Tajikistan== The age of consent in [[Tajikistan]] is 16, as specified in article 141 of the Criminal Code. The penalty is specified as deprivation of freedom for 2 to 5 years.<ref name="Tajikistan" /> ''Article 141. Sexual Intercourse And Other Actions of Sexual Character With an Individual Under 16 Years of Age'' "(1) Sexual intercourse, homosexuality or lesbianism committed by an individual at the age of 18 years with an individual under 16 years of age when there are no elements of the crime stipulated by Article 138 and Article 139 of the present Code, is punishable by deprivation of freedom for a period of 2 to 5 years." Articles 138 and 139 provide harsher penalties for Rape and Forcible sex against minors, including the possible death penalty for rape of a girl under 14. ==Thailand== The age of consent in [[Thailand]] is 15 regardless of gender or sexual orientation, as specified by article 279 of the Thai Criminal Code. The current legislation applies to all regardless of gender or sexual orientation. However, parts of the [http://www.thailawonline.com/images/documents/Criminal Code of Thailand.pdf''Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act''], which disallow any sexual contact with prostitutes under the age of 18, are widely interpreted by some local authorities to cover sexual acts classed as "obscenity for personal gratification". Also, the ''Penal Code Amendment Act'' of 1997 (Section 283 bis) criminalizes committing an "indecent act" with anyone under 18 even with the consent of that person.<ref>[http://www.thailawonline.com/images/documents/Criminal%20Code%20of%20Thailand.pdf thailawonline.com]</ref> It is a compoundable offense, meaning the parent or the adolescent may file charges against the other side if they later regret their own action. A high-profile example of this application of the law was a [[statutory rape]] charge filed against the lead singer of the Thai band ''[[Big Ass]]'' for allegedly having had sex with a (then) 16-year-old girl. The charge was filed by the girl after the singer refused to take responsibility for her baby. The singer has since been cleared of being the baby's father due to the results of a [[DNA paternity testing|paternity test]] and he received 2 years [[suspended sentence]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 May 2006 |title=DNA test clears 'Dag' |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/20/national/national_30004480.php |access-date=4 January 2007 |archive-date=26 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126142435/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/20/national/national_30004480.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 March 2007 |title=Popular rocker given suspended jail term for having sex with underage girl |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30029866 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612143232/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30029866 |archive-date=12 June 2009}}</ref> This ostensibly makes the Thai unfettered age of consent 18. ==Turkey== The age of consent in [[Turkey]] is the age of majority (set at '''18''' as per Article 11 of the Turkish Civil Code). According to Article 104 of the Turkish Penal Code (''Türk Ceza Kanunu''), sexual intercourse with minors aged 15, 16 and 17 can only be prosecuted upon a complaint. However, if the offender is a person who is forbidden to marry the child by law or is a person who is obliged to take care of the child due to adoption or foster care, then the prosecution doesn't require a complaint and the punishment is aggravated.<ref name="turkishpenal">{{Cite web |title=Turkish Penal Code |url=http://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.5237.pdf |access-date=3 July 2014 |publisher=Mevzuat.gov.tr. |language=tr |archive-date=14 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114094150/http://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.5237.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Article 103 regulates any kind of sexual activity with minors under 15 (or minors under 18 who lack the ability to understand the legal meanings and consequences of such actions) as [[child sexual abuse]].<ref name=turkishpenal/> ===History=== The [[Ottoman Empire]], a predecessor state to the Republic of [[Turkey]], decriminalized sodomy in 1858. The age of consent in Turkey was set at 15 for both heterosexual and homosexual sex in the 1926 penal code, but this was raised to 18 in 1953. The new penal code of 2004 also set the age of consent for both heterosexual and homosexual sex at 18, with some differences, such as the act of having sexual intercourse with a minor over 15 being punishable upon a complaint. ==Turkmenistan== The age of consent in [[Turkmenistan]] is 16.<ref name=":19"/> ==United Arab Emirates== The age of consent in the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] is 14.<ref name=":20"/> In 2020, United Arab Emirates decriminalized sex outside of marriage. However, consensual sex will be punished by the law if the victim, male or female, is under 14 years of age, or if the victim is deprived of their will due to their young age, insanity or mentally challenged or if the culprit is a first degree relative of the victim or responsible for their upbringing or usual care or has an authority of the minor victim. A person convicted of committing sexual intercourse with a minor or mentally challenged person by force would be punished by the death penalty. ==Uzbekistan== The age of consent in [[Uzbekistan]] is 16 for heterosexual males (oral sex for homosexual males) and both lesbian and heterosexual females.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uzbekistan Age of Consent & Statutory Rape Laws |url=https://www.ageofconsent.net/world/uzbekistan |access-date=16 June 2018 |website=ageofconsent.net |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616204140/https://www.ageofconsent.net/world/uzbekistan |url-status=live }}</ref> Only male homosexual anal intercourse is punishable with imprisonment for up to three years (called ''Besoqolbozlik'').<ref name="ILGA">{{Cite web |last=Itaborah |first=Lucas Paoli |title=State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws criminalising same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults |url=http://www.africagay.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_20122.pdf |access-date=1 February 2017 |publisher=ILGA, The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> ''Sexual relations with a person under sixteen (16) years of age, Clause 128 of the Criminal Code'': (1) A sexual relation or satisfaction of sex requirements in the unnatural form with a person who was obviously less than sixteen (16) years old, shall be punished by corrective labour measures for up to two (2) years or by the arrest up to six (6) months, or with imprisonment for up to three (3) years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Enactment of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan |url=http://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Uzbekistan/UZ_Criminal_Code.pdf |access-date=16 June 2018 |publisher=The Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616204506/http://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Uzbekistan/UZ_Criminal_Code.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Vietnam== The 2015 Penal Code indicates that the age of consent in Vietnam is 16 regardless of gender or sexual orientation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2005 |title=Glitter police 'drop rape charge' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4559658.stm |access-date=3 February 2016 |archive-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119154443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4559658.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 November 2005 |title=Shamed rocker Glitter on the run |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/18/AR2005111800680.html |access-date=3 February 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220135042/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/18/AR2005111800680.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Article 145 criminalizes sexual activity with those aged 13–15 in situations not amounting to rape (article 142 - requires threat or violence) or sexual abuse (article 144 - employing "trickery" to make a 13-15-year-old who is the offender's care-dependent or a person in extreme need "reluctantly engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual activities". {{block quote|Article 145. Engaging in sexual intercourse or other sexual activities with a person aged from 13 to under 16 1. Any person aged 18 or over who engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual activities with a person aged from 13 to under 16 in cases other than those specified in Article 142 and Article 144 hereof shall face a penalty of 01 - 05 years' imprisonment. 2. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a penalty of 03 - 10 years' imprisonment: a) The offence has been committed more than once; b) The offence is committed against 02 or more people; c) The offence is of an incestuous nature; d) The offence results in the victim's pregnancy; dd) The offence results in 31% - 60% physical disability of the victim; e) The offence is committed against a person for whom the offender is responsible for providing care, education, or medical treatment. 3. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a penalty of 07 - 15 years' imprisonment: a) The offence results in ≥ 61% physical disability of the victim; b) The offender commits the offence in the knowledge of his HIV infection. 4. The offender might be forbidden from practicing his/her profession or doing certain jobs for 01 - 05 years.<ref name="Vietnam 2015 Criminal Code">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/vn/vn086en.pdf|title=Vietnam 2015 Criminal Code|access-date=3 June 2019|archive-date=15 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315150425/https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/vn/vn086en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}} {{block quote|Article 146. Molestation of a person under 16 1. Any person who molests a person under 16 for purposes other than sexual intercourse or other sexual activities shall face a penalty of 06 - 36 months' imprisonment. 2. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a penalty of 03 - 07 years' imprisonment: a) Organized crime; b) The offence has been committed more than once; c) The offence is committed against 02 or more people; d) The offence is committed against a person for whom the offender is responsible for providing care, education, or medical treatment; dd) The victim suffers from 11% - 45% mental and behavioral disability because of the offence; e) Dangerous recidivism. 3. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a penalty of 07 - 12 years' imprisonment: a) The victim suffers from 46% mental and behavioral disability or above because of the offence; b) The offence results in the suicide of the victim. 4. The offender might be forbidden from practicing his/her profession or doing certain jobs for 01 - 05 years.<ref name="Vietnam 2015 Criminal Code" />}} {{block quote|Article 147. Employment of a person under 16 for pornographic purposes 1. Any person aged 18 or over who persuades, entices, forces a person under 16 to participate in a pornographic performance or watch a pornographic performance in any shape or form shall face a penalty of 06 - 36 months' imprisonment. 2. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a penalty of 03 - 07 years' imprisonment: a) Organized crime; b) The offence has been committed more than once; c) The offence is committed against 02 or more people; d) The offence is committed against a person for whom the offender is responsible for providing care, education, or medical treatment; dd) The offence is committed for commercial purposes; e) The victim suffers from 11% - 45% mental and behavioral disability because of the offence; g) Dangerous recidivism. 3. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a penalty of 07 - 12 years' imprisonment: a) The victim suffers from 46% mental and behavioral disability or above because of the offence; b) The offence results in the suicide of the victim. 4. The offender might be forbidden from practicing his/her profession or doing certain jobs for 01 - 05 years.<ref name="Vietnam 2015 Criminal Code" />}} ==Yemen== Any kind of sexual activity outside marriage is illegal in [[Yemen]]. Until recently, Yemeni law set the age of consent at 15. However, that law has been eradicated. Now, "Yemeni law allows girl of any age to wed, but it forbids sex with them until the indefinite time they are suitable for sexual intercourse.'"<ref name="Power2009">{{Citation |last=Power |first=Carla |title=Nujood Ali & Shada Nasser win "Women of the Year Fund 2008 Glamour Award" |date=12 August 2009 |url=http://www.yementimes.com/DefaultDET.aspx?i=1207&p=report&a=1 |work=Yemen Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405190616/http://www.yementimes.com/DefaultDET.aspx?i=1207&p=report&a=1 |access-date=16 February 2010 |archive-date=5 April 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1999, the [[Marriageable age#Asia|minimum marriage age]] of fifteen for women, rarely enforced, was abolished; the onset of puberty, interpreted by [[ulama]] to be at the age of nine, was set as a requirement for consummation of marriage.<ref name="HRWYemenReport2001">{{Citation |last=Human Rights Watch |title=World Report 2001 |year=2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615214816/http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/mideast/yemen.html |chapter=Yemen: Human Rights Developments |chapter-url=https://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/mideast/yemen.html |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=8 April 2010 |archive-date=15 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2008, the case of [[Nujood Ali]], a 10-year-old girl who successfully obtained a divorce, sparked headlines around the world, and prompted calls to raise the legal age for marriage to 18.<ref name="Daragahi2008">{{Cite news |last=Daragahi |first=Borzou |date=11 June 2008 |title=Yemeni bride, 10, says I won't |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/11/world/fg-childbride11 |url-status=live |access-date=16 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218062844/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/11/world/fg-childbride11 |archive-date=18 February 2010}}</ref> Later in 2008, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood proposed to define the minimum age for marriage at 18 years. The law was passed in April 2009, but dropped the following day following maneuvers by opposing parliamentarians. Negotiations to pass the legislation continue.<ref name="Assamiee&Al-Sakkaf2010">{{Citation |last1=Mahmoud Assamiee |title=Relative breakthrough in Yemen's early marriage dilemma |date=25 March 2010 |url=http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=33771 |work=Yemen Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608055754/http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=33771 |access-date=8 April 2010 |archive-date=8 June 2011 |last2=Nadia Al-Sakkaf |author-link2=Nadia Al-Sakkaf |url-status=dead}}</ref> ==See also== {{Portal|Asia|Human sexuality|Law}} * [[Age of consent]] * [[Age of consent reform]] * [[Ages of consent in Africa]] * [[Ages of consent in Oceania]] * [[Ages of consent in Europe]] * [[Ages of consent in North America]] * [[Ages of consent in South America]] * [[Sex education]] * [[Comprehensive sex education]] ==Notes== {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} {{Sexual ethics}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ages of Consent in Asia}} [[Category:Law-related lists]] [[Category:Age of consent by continent|Asia]] [[Category:Adolescent sexuality in Asia]] [[Category:Minimum ages]]'