Child Marriage in Arabia

Brian’s comments are spot on. What is this reform of which you speak?

After public outcry over the marriage of an 8-year-old to a 50-year-old, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Justice has vowed action:

“The justice ministry aims to put an end to arbitrariness by parents and guardians in marrying off minor girls’, Justice Minister Mohammad Al Eisa told Al Watan newspaper, partially owned by members of the royal family…

“The minister’s comments suggested the practice of marrying off young girls would not be abolished. The regulations will seek to ‘preserve the rights, fending off blights to end the negative aspects of underage girls’ marriage’, he said.

“A court in the Saudi town of Onaiza upheld for the second time last week the marriage of the Saudi girl to a man who is about 50 years her senior, on condition he does not have sex with her until she reaches puberty.”

If it continues to allow this practice, then what on earth is a reform supposed to consist of? Simply banning pedophile acts?

[From Child Marriage in Arabia]