Marriage only from 18: child marriages are banned in Germany
Much more girls than boys affected
The bill to "fight child marriages" by Federal Minister of Justice Heiko Maas is intended to protect children and minors from life in forced marriage. The draft was decided today by the Federal Cabinet.
Due to the increased influx of refugees, the issue had gained new relevance in Germany. Last autumn, almost 1500 minors were registered as married in Germany - more than two-thirds of them girls.
"It's only allowed to marry someone who is 18 years old"
Heiko Maas commented on his bill: "There should be no child marriages in Germany. (...) What is our concern about ensuring that minors married abroad receive comprehensive protection under German law? more comprehensive and faster than before. Marriages are only allowed to those who are 18 years old, Also foreign vision in the group of 16- to 18-year-olds should in principle have no endurance.
The innovations at a glance
? The "Age of Age" is raised from 16 to 18 years. So far, it is also possible in Germany to marry from 16 years. Prerequisite: One of the two partners is of legal age and the parents consent to the marriage.
? A marriage is annulled if a spouse was not yet of legal age at the marriage, An annulment can be waived only in special hardship cases, and if the minor spouse has since become of age and confirms the marriage.
? Marriages where a partner was younger than 16 at the wedding are ineffective.
? The Youth Welfare Office must take care of underage unaccompanied refugees, even if they are married. It checks which protective measures are required, and whether the minor partner is to be separated from his spouse.
? Anyone who circumvents the ban on minors must expect a fine. The aim is to prevent children from being tied up in a marriage comparable to marriage, despite the prohibition to close a state marriage, by means of "contractual, traditional or religious acts".
Also read
Children marriage: "I have freed myself from hell"The prohibition of child marriages is controversial - some do not go far enough, others go too far because they offer little scope for individual cases. The Grand Coalition wants to implement the project but in any case before the summer break.
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