A local court responded to Seyaj’s efforts by preventing the forced marriage of a twelve-year-old girl after she had been abducted for the purpose of marrying her in Hajjah governorate in northwestern Yemen.
On Tuesday, 5 February 2019, the court of Abs district refused to accept the marriage claim because of the girl’s young age. Seyaj’s protection team said it had received a report from the girl’s family that she was at risk of being forcibly married after being abducted by an adult. Although the family said she was under pressure and threat, a case had been filed asking the court to authorize the marriage under the false claim that she wanted it.
Seyaj contacted the judge, the prosecutor handling the case, and local figures involved in safeguarding the child, calling on them all to stand with the minor and protect her and her family. The organization also demanded the strictest penalties for everyone involved in abducting the child and endangering her safety and childhood.
