Leeds Morelli & Brown, Legal Blog 

CNN has reported that a Saudi judge has upheld a marriage between an 8-year-old girl and a 47-year-old man.  The marriage was arranged by the girl’s father to settle a debt.  In dismissing the petition that was brought by the girl’s mother, the judge ruled that once the girl reaches 18 years of age she may petition the court for a divorce.  Until such time, she is lawfully married to the 47-year-old man.  International rights activists are speaking out against the ruling, pointing out that Saudi Arabia is a party to international agreements that oppose child marriages.  To view the full article:  http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/23/saudi.arabia.child.marriage/index.html Read the rest of this entry »