In response to a lawsuit: A Yemeni court annuls the marriage contract of a child to a man in his sixties

The Wasab Al-Aali Primary Court in Dhamar Governorate ruled today to annul the marriage contract of ten-year-old Saud Yahya Mohammed to her sixty-year-old husband. This decision was based on a request from the Siyaj Organization, citing the child’s aversion to her husband and the harm she suffered as a result of this barbaric marriage. This ruling was issued during a court session held this morning, Saturday, August 29, 2020, presided over by Judge Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Arami. In this regard, the Siyaj Organization extends its sincere thanks to the head of the court for upholding truth, justice, and humanity. The organization also thanks all those who cooperated and showed solidarity in this case, including the Siyaj team and Sheikh Aref Al-Hajj, the tribal sheikh to whom Saud turned for help, and who fulfilled his humanitarian duty by standing with and supporting her. Her weakness.

Last week, the Siyaj Organization for Child Protection appealed to the court to review the case and annul the marriage contract of the child “Saoud,” who was married at such a young age in a manner that contradicts the most basic principles of human nature and even sound animal instinct.

The child attempted suicide by poisoning herself before seeking refuge with the local sheikh, as she was averse to the marriage and her consent was not legally or religiously valid, given the certain harm inflicted upon her.

In a letter addressed to the court, Siyaj demanded that the father, the husband, and the marriage officiant be punished to the fullest extent of the law for their abuse of a child of this age, which violates the rights of the child ratified by the Republic of Yemen. By virtue of that ratification, it became part of its national legislation and its obligations to the international community.