Family Law

Saudi Court Refuses to Annul Marriage of 8-Year-Old Girl

By Erin Kelley

By: Gerri L Elder

A Saudi judge has for the second time denied a divorce petition filed by the mother of an 8-year-old girl. The girl?s mother asked the court to grant the child a divorce from her 47-year-old husband. According to CNN, the same judge rejected the petition late last year.

The judge stood by his earlier ruling not to terminate the arranged marriage and said the child could petition the court for a divorce when she reaches puberty. The girl’s husband was required to sign a statement in court, pledging he won’t have sex with the child until she reaches puberty.

An appeals court has declined to certify the judge’s decision. Until the case is resolved, the child is still married. The divorce case will be heard in an appeals court next month.

The child’s father reportedly arranged the marriage to settle a debt. The girl’s mother is now separated from the father. The court previously ruled the mother is not the child’s legal guardian and could not represent her in court. Family members told CNN reporters the mother will not stop fighting for a divorce for her daughter.

Full post as published by The Divorce Blog on April 14, 2009 (boomark / email).