Romania girl age 12 forced to marry 15 year old boy - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MonarC · 09-30-2003, 02:39 PM

BUCHAREST, Romania — Human rights activists (search) and Romanians on Tuesday condemned the arranged marriage of a 12-year-old Gypsy girl, saying it was illegal and a violation of human rights.

Ana Maria Cioaba, 12, was married off Saturday to Birita Mihai, 15. The reluctant bride once stormed out of the church during the service and later told reporters she did not consider herself to be married.

The marriage -- which made the front pages of many Romanian newspapers -- had been arranged by the girl's father, Florin Cioaba, a self-declared Gypsy (search) king.

The forced marriage was a human rights violation, said Mark Percival, the leader of the Romanian Think Tank (search), a group that fights for democratic reforms in Romania.

"I totally condemn this marriage. It is against European Union legislation. It is violation of the right to marriage because they are being forced into a marriage they don't want," Percival said Tuesday. Romania hopes to join the EU in 2007.

"Romanian authorities ought to take appropriate action to prevent this violation of human rights," he said.

Romanian law allows 16-year-olds to get married if they have parental consent. People 18 or older can marry as they choose.

Romania is generally tolerant of the traditions of Roma, as Gypsies also are known, including the custom of marrying children. Marriages involving children aren't consider legal, and many Roma never marry legally.

"They are messing with the life of a human being. Maybe that girl wanted something else out of life -- not to marry before she was 13," said Valentin Militaru, a 23-year-old computer specialist from Bucharest.

The marriage was unlawful because "it is instigation to illegal sex between minors," said Nicolae Stefanescu-Draganesti, the president of the League for Human Rights. Sex involving people younger than 16 is considered statutory rape in Romania.

Baroness Emma Nicholson, the European Union envoy to Romania, called on authorities to separate the couple.

But Dana Cherendea, an adviser to Florin Cioaba, said the rebellious bride had begun to "resign herself to her fate."

"They spent the (wedding) night together. It was the deal," Cherendea said by telephone.

The girl and her father were set to appear Tuesday evening on Romanian television in a bid to defend the marriage, she added.

"Nobody asked her whether she wanted it," Cherendea said. "It is part of a tradition for Gypsies, and the marriage shows that traditions are respected.

"It is not the one you want, it's the one you get."

www.foxnews.com
-------------------------

WOW this is sad... Im glad that we have rights here in the United States.

PZelda · 09-30-2003, 02:58 PM

The Modfather · 09-30-2003, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!

Ditto

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 09-30-2003, 05:08 PM

That's just...messed up.

David · 09-30-2003, 06:41 PM

Hollow · 09-30-2003, 06:54 PM

thats stupid.

TJL · 09-30-2003, 06:59 PM

Where is the bride registered, Toys R Us?

Penny Lane · 09-30-2003, 07:17 PM

12 is very young. My husbands grandparents were 15 and 16 when they married. (circa 1912)

Liza · 09-30-2003, 08:47 PM

God, my brother is 13 - that's so wrong, I can't even process it. And Romania's a country I've always wanted to see... actually my cousin just got stationed there for the peace corps, I probably will visit it. Course, this is certainly not the norm in Romania. But Still...

Lucylover22 · 09-30-2003, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
Where is the bride registered, Toys R Us?

bandito · 09-30-2003, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~°Sarah°~
thats stupid.

Ditto..

Jenya · 09-30-2003, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
Where is the bride registered, Toys R Us?

Where did they go for their honeymoon? Disneyland?

PZelda · 10-01-2003, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenya
Where did they go for their honeymoon? Disneyland?

PZelda · 10-01-2003, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Penny Lane
12 is very young. My husbands grandparents were 15 and 16 when they married. (circa 1912)

My dad's parents were 17 and 26 when they married (circa 1941).

Crimson and Clover · 10-01-2003, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
Where is the bride registered, Toys R Us?

09-30-2003, 02:39 PM	#1
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Romania girl age 12 forced to marry 15 year old boy BUCHAREST, Romania — Human rights activists (search) and Romanians on Tuesday condemned the arranged marriage of a 12-year-old Gypsy girl, saying it was illegal and a violation of human rights. Ana Maria Cioaba, 12, was married off Saturday to Birita Mihai, 15. The reluctant bride once stormed out of the church during the service and later told reporters she did not consider herself to be married. The marriage -- which made the front pages of many Romanian newspapers -- had been arranged by the girl's father, Florin Cioaba, a self-declared Gypsy (search) king. The forced marriage was a human rights violation, said Mark Percival, the leader of the Romanian Think Tank (search), a group that fights for democratic reforms in Romania. "I totally condemn this marriage. It is against European Union legislation. It is violation of the right to marriage because they are being forced into a marriage they don't want," Percival said Tuesday. Romania hopes to join the EU in 2007. "Romanian authorities ought to take appropriate action to prevent this violation of human rights," he said. Romanian law allows 16-year-olds to get married if they have parental consent. People 18 or older can marry as they choose. Romania is generally tolerant of the traditions of Roma, as Gypsies also are known, including the custom of marrying children. Marriages involving children aren't consider legal, and many Roma never marry legally. "They are messing with the life of a human being. Maybe that girl wanted something else out of life -- not to marry before she was 13," said Valentin Militaru, a 23-year-old computer specialist from Bucharest. The marriage was unlawful because "it is instigation to illegal sex between minors," said Nicolae Stefanescu-Draganesti, the president of the League for Human Rights. Sex involving people younger than 16 is considered statutory rape in Romania. Baroness Emma Nicholson, the European Union envoy to Romania, called on authorities to separate the couple. But Dana Cherendea, an adviser to Florin Cioaba, said the rebellious bride had begun to "resign herself to her fate." "They spent the (wedding) night together. It was the deal," Cherendea said by telephone. The girl and her father were set to appear Tuesday evening on Romanian television in a bid to defend the marriage, she added. "Nobody asked her whether she wanted it," Cherendea said. "It is part of a tradition for Gypsies, and the marriage shows that traditions are respected. "It is not the one you want, it's the one you get." www.foxnews.com ------------------------- WOW this is sad... Im glad that we have rights here in the United States.

09-30-2003, 02:58 PM	#2
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223
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09-30-2003, 05:08 PM	#4
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	That's just...messed up.
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09-30-2003, 06:41 PM	#5
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115
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09-30-2003, 06:59 PM	#7
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Where is the bride registered, Toys R Us?
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09-30-2003, 06:54 PM	#6
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	thats stupid.

09-30-2003, 07:17 PM	#8
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,300	12 is very young. My husbands grandparents were 15 and 16 when they married. (circa 1912)
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

09-30-2003, 08:47 PM	#9
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	God, my brother is 13 - that's so wrong, I can't even process it. And Romania's a country I've always wanted to see... actually my cousin just got stationed there for the peace corps, I probably will visit it. Course, this is certainly not the norm in Romania. But Still...