12th mayo 2026

Considerations on Argentina’s Bill S-0228/2025 on “false reports” and gender-based violence

End sexual violence Argentina

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A coalition of Argentine and international civil society organisations, including Equality Now, published a joint analysis opposing Bill S-0228/2025, which proposes harsher penalties for alleged “false reports” in cases involving gender-based violence, sexual violence, and crimes against children. The organisations argue that the proposal reinforces harmful stereotypes, increases barriers to justice, and contradicts international human rights standards, including recommendations issued by the CEDAW Committee and the MESECVI Follow-up Mechanism to the Belém do Pará Convention. The document also highlights evidence showing that false reports are statistically insignificant, while underreporting of gender-based violence remains widespread.

Given that, after some time, the Argentine Senate is insisting on pressing ahead with a bill on this matter, the coalition of Argentine organisations has published a new document analysing the changes contained in the text to be debated. The amendments known so far retain – and in some respects exacerbate – the problems that have already been highlighted. The bill incorporates ambiguous legal concepts, increases penalties, creates new aggravating factors and strengthens the deterrent effect on those who need to report incidents of violence or abuse.

What’s inside the policy briefs?

  • Analysis of the proposed amendments to Articles 245, 275 and 277 of Argentina’s Criminal Code.
  • How the reform relies on vague, undefined legal concepts, such as «serious intentional offence» and «vulnerable persons», that do not exist in the Criminal Code and widen judicial discretion.
  • Evidence and statistics, which demonstrate the low prevalence of false reports compared to widespread underreporting of gender-based violence.
  • Legal analysis of the proposal’s incompatibility with international human rights obligations and due diligence standards.
  • Examination of barriers that women, girls, and survivors of sexual violence already face when accessing justice.
  • Recommendations urging lawmakers to reject the bill and strengthen survivor-centred justice mechanisms instead.

Who are they for?

  • Legislators and public officials in Argentina.
  • Journalists and media professionals covering gender justice and legal reform.
  • Civil society organisations and feminist movements.
  • Lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and justice system actors.
  • International human rights bodies and advocates are working on violence against women and girls.

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Key takeaways and recommendations

  • Reject Bill S-0228/2025 and avoid introducing criminal law reforms that could discourage survivors of gender-based violence and sexual abuse from reporting crimes.
  • Ensure that public policy responses are grounded in evidence. Existing data shows that false reports are extremely rare, while impunity and underreporting remain major concerns.
  • Strengthen access to justice mechanisms for women, girls, and children, including legal aid, psychosocial support, and survivor-centred protection systems.
  • Avoid reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes that portray women and survivors as manipulative or dishonest.
  • Comply with Argentina’s international obligations under CEDAW and the Belém do Pará Convention, including recent recommendations calling on the State to withdraw the proposed reform.
  • Prioritise measures that improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the justice system, rather than increasing risks and barriers for survivors seeking protection.

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12 de mayo de 2026

19 pages

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ES

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End sexual violence
Argentina

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For more information, contact programs@equalitynow.org.

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