Members of the Saudi Shoura Council on Wednesday approved fresh regulations for minor marriages that will see to outlaw marrying off 15-year-old children and force the need for court approval for those under 18.
Chairman of the Human Rights Committee at the Shoura Council, Dr. Hadi Al-Yami, said that introduced controls were based on in-depth studies presented to the body. He pointed out that the regulation, vetted by the Islamic Affairs Committee at the Shoura Council, has raised the age of marriage to 18 and prohibited it for those under 15.
Wedlock for those within the 15-18 age group will be subject to regulations and must seek authorization by the judiciary, Yami explained.
He pointed out that the new regulations are meant to protect Saudi families and reduce the high rate of divorce, saying that “early marriage sometimes can cause health problems and increase the chances of divorce.” [Asharq Al Awsat] Read more
