stealing a cow more serious than rape new law

A NEW LAW makes it "more serious to steal a cow than to rape someone” says  Panama’s Citizen's Alliance for Justice.

They were referring to a law that has  increased the penalty for stealing cattle to eight years caused social discontent.

According to the Alliance the eight-year sentence exceeds that for “rape oracts of domestic violence, embezzlement or corruption," reports La Prensa
The law also calls for perpetrators to be imprisoned immediately with no possibility of bail.
Under Panamanian law, domestic violence carries sentences of 2 to 4 years, while the penalty for embezzlement is 4 to 10 years and for corruption it is 3 to 6 years.
Minister of Security José Raúl Mulino emphasized that comparing the penalties for the different crimes is "comparing apples and oranges."
"They are totally different," he said.
Nelva Reyes, coordinator of the Women's Meeting Space, said that the National Assembly has a "backward mentality" when it comes to punishing crimes.
She said it is reprehensible to increase the penalty for stealing a cow so that it is more than or equal to that of violating another human being.
She said the passage of legislation like this is evidence "that we have an Assembly that isn't concerned about the lives of women"
The National Institute of Women reported that while it is the duty of the National Assembly to make rules, it is also necessary to "find alternatives for the prevention of domestic violence."
It added that domestic violence "is a cultural and structural issue where the commitment of all citizens is needed to implement policies of public convenience.”