Saudi Arabia's Shura Council approved regulations on limiting marriages of those under 18 years of age.
Riyadh (Pakistan Point News – 12th January, 2018) Saudi Arabia has banned the marriage of minors following a ruling by the Kingdom’s Shoura Council.
Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, an advisory body to the Saudi government, has voted to approve regulations on limiting marriages of those under 18 years of age.
Specifically, the council voted in favour of banning marriages involving children under 15 years old, while some exceptions could still be made for those between the ages of 15-18
The council’s speaker Abdullah Al-Sheikh approved the law that called for banning of marriage of all minors, male or female.
The ruling also received the support of two thirds of the council.
After the decision Shoura Council member Latifa Al-Shaalan tweeted her approval of the council's decision, calling it “a good step forward that was not easy to reach.”
While some in Saudi Arabia have applauded the positive vote, several human rights organisations point out that there is still a long way to go before the kingdom could see these big changes.
