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Monday, August 11, 2008

Another sick Saudi marriage

It seems to be a daily event:

UNAIZAH: In order to settle his debts, a Saudi father here married his eight-year-old daughter to a man in his 50s, who already has two wives, a local newspaper reported yesterday.

Details of the case came to light when the mother of the girl took it to the court calling for an abrogation of the marriage contract. The mother, who is estranged from the father, urged all concerned parties and the National Society for Human Rights to support her in canceling the marriage.

“This is an unmatched marriage, which will deprive our daughter of her childhood,” the mother said.

A source at the court said this is not the first case of its kind.

A court in Asir is currently considering a similar case in which a man married his 10-year-old daughter to a man in his 70s for SR170,000.

Legal child slavery, prostitution and rape.