I
recently watched a CNN programme which centred on “kidnapped
daughters” (from multicultural marriages) who were unwillingly
given away in marriages in Islamic states by their fathers. Usually,
the fathers were from these Islamic states. While pondering over why
some states still refuse women their rights to choose whom to marry,
the key question I am also trying to answer is “Which
international law governs inter-country and inter-religious
marriages?”
The
real issue is whose belief overrides in an inter-country and
inter-religious marriage. Should the father dictate the beliefs of
his daughter till she is 18 or should the mother? Whilst love still
stands as the basic foundation for a successful marriage, marrying a
foreigner with a different religion/beliefs needs a more concrete
foundation – such as a signed agreement.
Some
women marry male foreigners without fully understanding his
background, his beliefs …and most importantly, the beliefs of his
people. Some may argue that when they married their husbands, he was
a free thinker. This is true especially of westernized men. However,
this most likely changes when the man has to return to his roots –
his people and their beliefs….and they often return home.
So,
which law protects children from inter-country and inter-religious
marriages? Which written law states that the man cannot take his
daughters back to his roots and marry them off to whoever he wishes?
Which law states that a father cannot forbid his daughters to go
home and visit their mother? Which international law states that a
woman forced to have sex with a husband she was unwillingly married
to is pure rape? Which international law states that a woman who has
her passport seized by her father is denied her rights?
As
the world becomes truly global, perhaps it is time the United
Nations begun to look at International Marriage laws which protect
the children from inter-country marriages. However, can these
children truly be protected despite the political obstacles that
prevail?
The
obvious answer remains that the end to “kidnapping” is the
establishment of international marriage laws which countries can be
held accountable for. Whilst couples await these laws, it may be
expedient to sign agreements in a court of law to protect unborn
children. The question, then, is “whose court of law?”
About
The Author
Kemisola Yusuf - A Consultant who has a passion for supporting the
Black Woman...
kemisola_yusuf@hotmail.com
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