Azerbaijani MPs suggest criminal prosecution for forced marriage

The MPs of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) propose to increase the marriageable age for girls and introduce criminal responsibility for those persons who force girls into marriage.

The fact, that the girls' marriageable age will be increased was announced at a joint sitting of the Committee on Legal Policy and State Development and the Committee on Social Policy of the Milli Majlis.

Khady Rajabli, the head of the latter committee, said that until recently time the girls' marriageable age was 17; and now, after the changes made in the Family Code, it is offered to make it 18.

The bill was recommended for consideration of the plenary session of the Parliament, the "AZE.az" reports.

Besides, the joint sitting of the Committees discussed amendments to the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, assuming a fine amounting to 2-3000 manats (1 manat = 38.92 Russian roubles) or imprisonment of up to 2 years for forcing women into marriage.

If such actions are committed against girls under the marriageable age, the culprit will be fined by 3-4000 manats or imprisoned for up to 4 years.

In his speech, the MP Rafael Djabrailov suggested that the responsibility covered those who force not only women, but also men, into early marriage.

However, the bill was supported only in relation to women.

"The fact, that the changes are covering only women, evidence a special attention given to women's rights in Azerbaijan," the IA "Trend" quotes Samir Djafarov, the head of a Milli Majlis division, as saying.

This bill was also recommended for consideration of the plenary session of the Parliament.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in rural areas of northern and southern regions of the country girls after the age of 12 stop going to school and are prepared for marriage. In particular, in southern regions girls often forced into marriage at the age of 12-13; while their parents receive the ransom of 1500-2000 manats.

Let us also remind you that, earlier, the PACE had expressed its concern about the practice of early marriages in Azerbaijan.

The UN Committee on Elimination of Women's Discrimination has also urged the Azerbaijani authorities to take measures against early marriages practiced in the republic.