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http://justice4iran.org/english/j4iran-activities/jfi-brief-and-recommendations-on-early-marriage-in-iran/
IRAN – RECOMMENDATIONS ON
EARLY MARRIAGE - JUSTICE FOR IRAN
October 7, 2014 - During the first cycle of UPR on Iran,
the Islamic Republic of Iran accepted at least ten recommendations that
directly address the State’s duty to protect women and girls’ right to free and
informed marriage.[1] Despite its response, the Islamic Republic has failed in
its commitment to implement the relevant recommendations.
FACTS
Stolen Lives, Empty Classrooms: An Overview on Girl
Marriages in the Islamic Republic of Iran[2] and its recent
updates, provide statics and gender-based policies that endorse infringements
on dignity and autonomy of women and girls, including their right to free and
informed consent to marriage at the legal age:
- According to the founding father of the Islamic
Republic, sexual intercourse with wives below the age of 9 lunar years is
not allowed. However, “other forms of sexual pleasure” including “rubbing
penis between the buttocks and thighs… of even… a nursing baby” is
permitted.
- Legal guardians can marry off girls below 13 and boys
before 15 years of age pending a judge’s approval.
- Article 27 of the Bill of Adopted and Neglected Minors
legalises marriage between parents and adopted children. In Iran, every 15
minutes a girl between 10 and 14 years of age faces marriage.
- During the last 9 months of 2013 more than 30,000 girls
below 15 years of age were forced to marry.[3]
- Girls who face marriage at an early age suffer from
high rates of illiteracy, economic disparity, marital rape, mental,
physical and sexual abuse and violence, high rates of chronic medical
problems and infant mortality.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Since the Islamic Republic is party to the International Bill of Rights and
duty bound to protect and promote equal rights, Justice for Iran recommends
that the Islamic Republic:
- Sign the Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age
For Marriage and Registration of Marriage with no reservation.
- Take effective legal measures to hold accountable the
judges directly responsible for the approval of forced child marriage
cases as well as other private actors, including the guardian of the
adopted child.
- Judicial authorities introduce national codes and laws
to prohibit forced marriage and revise existing laws so to prohibit
marriage with one’s adopted child.
- Sign the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination
against Women, and take effective measures to eliminate marriage with
girls below the age of 18, parents or guardians with their adopted
children, and provide reparation for victims of girl marriages.
———————-
[1]Recommendations by Chile, Estonia, Germany, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Austria,
Bangladesh, Ireland, Qatar, Indonesia
[2] http://justice4iran.org/english/issues/stolen-lives/
[3] For more information please see a recent update by JFI available on-line
at: http://justice4iran.org/english/j4iran-activities/during-the-nine-months-of-2013-more-than-30000-girls-below-the-age-of-15-were-forced-to-marry/