The Saudi Arabian state has voluntarily intervened in the marriage of a preteen girl to an older man for the first time in the history of that kingdom. The government Human Rights Commission (HRC) has hired a lawyer to go examine the case of a twelve year old girl who was married to her father’s eighty year old cousin last year. Her mother attempted to file for divorce but suddenly dropped the case earlier this month with no explanation.
The daughter in this case has told local newspapers that she doesn’t object to the marriage – “I agree to the marriage. I have no objection. This is filial respect to my father and obedience to his wish.” Obedience to patriarchal wishes is deeply ingrained in Saudi culture. According to a ruling by a Saudi judge last year in the case of an eight year old whose mother attempted to intercede in her marriage to a fifty year old, mothers do not necessarily have the right to file a divorce case on behalf of a minor child anyway.
But, despite all arguments against this particular case being dropped, the HRC considers this a “public rights issue that concerns the Saudi community.” It has also strongly hinted that the review may end with a divorce being granted. “Our main concern is to safeguard the child’s rights,” Alanoud al-Hejailan, a lawyer for the commission told the Times of London. “It is in the hands of the court but the commission is firmly on the child’s side.”
Activists find this highly unusual intervention a hopeful sign that the al-Saud family is finally ready to take a stand against religious fundamentalists who argue that the Koran allows for child marriage. Princess Adela bint Abdullah is leading the way – “A child has the right to live her childhood and not be forced to get married. Even an adult would not accept that.”
“This case is an investment in order to push for a law,” Wajiha al-Huweider, a Saudi rights activist, told Reuters. “We need to affect public opinion and I believe that Saudi Arabia will issue a law preventing child marriages soon.”
