Rights groups demand removal of special provision from child marriage bill

A rights group umbrella on Saturday demanded the minimum marriage age for girls be kept at 18, with no special provision for 'special circumstances' as there is in the draft Child Marriage Prevention Bill 2016 approved by the cabinet.
"The special provision of the law on child marriage prevention will increase the risk of child marriage," they said during a human chain programme formed by 22 rights groups.
Moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of COAST Trust, the programme was also addressed by Zayed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Subal Sarkar of Bangladesh Bhumihin Somity, Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnyan Dhara Trust and Sanat Kumar Bhowmik of COAST Trust.
In a position paper for the organizers, Ferdous Ara Rumee of COAST Trust expressed concern that if the cabinet-approved draft is passed by parliament, it may encourage abuse of the law.
Subal Sarkar said a girl under 18 is not physically matured and thus marriage of a girl under 18 can definitely cause serious threat to her life by creating many physical problems and also lead to birth of immature babies or ill-nourished babies, he said.    �UNB