Moroccan human rights associations denounced, on Friday, a "very lenient" sentence issued against three defendants who were convicted of raping an 11-year-old girl and served only two years in prison, calling on the judicial authorities to intervene to guarantee the rights of the victim.

On March 20, three adults were sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of "deceiving a minor" and "violently indecent assault," according to the local "Media 24" website, which described the verdict as "shocking."

The victim is a girl who was no more than 11 years old at the time of the crime and was residing in a rural area on the outskirts of Rabat. She was raped under threat and resulted in pregnancy, according to the same source, according to the “Insaf” association that specializes in supporting single mothers and has taken up this case.

After the girl's father filed a complaint, the authorities arrested three men who were referred to the court, which sentenced them to two years in prison and to pay compensation of approximately $4,800.

This sentence angered human rights activists and local media, especially since the penalty for these two charges is no less than 10 years in prison and can reach up to 20 years in prison.

On Friday, the women's association "Jusour" expressed its "deep regret" over a sentence that was "very lenient compared to the atrocity of the crime."

And she called on the judicial authorities to intervene "to achieve justice in this catastrophe, and to correct the errors that marred the file in the preliminary ruling."

The "Spring of Dignity" coalition, which includes many women's associations, launched a campaign on social media to condemn this ruling.

For her part, sociologist Somaya Noaman Jasous sent an open letter to Minister of Justice Abdel Latif Wehbe, in which she said, "I complain to you about this unacceptable injustice," expressing her hope that "this girl and her family will be able to take their share of justice."

The victim appealed the verdict, according to the "Media 24" website, citing the "Insaf" association.

Moroccan human rights organizations have previously criticized, in separate cases over the past years, sentences that were considered lenient against those accused of sexually assaulting minors, calling for tougher penalties.