By Brandon Kaufman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANAA, Yemen– A number of Yemen’s most influential clerics issued a decree on Sunday calling supporters of a ban on child brides to be apostates.  It is believed that the religious decree will deeply hurt efforts to salvage legislation that would make it illegal for individuals under the age of 17 to marry.

Currently in Yemen, the practice of having child brides is quite prevalent, due in large part to the country’s extreme poverty.  In many cases, it is tough for families to pass up on child bride prices which can easily run into the hundreds of dollars.

Last year, the Social Affairs Ministry of Yemen published a report saying that more than a quarter of Yemen’s females marry before age 15.  In February of 2009, a new law set the minimum age for marriage at 17, but it was repealed and sent back to the legislature for review after a number of lawmakers called the bill un-Islamic.  A final decision on the legislation is believed to be forthcoming next month.

One of the clerics behind the decree is Sheik Abdul-Majid al-Zindani, one of Yemen’s most influential clerics and one whom the United States has said is a spiritual mentor of Osama bin Laden.  Yet, since Yemen is currently in a fragile situation as a nation, many government officials are reluctant to challenge al-Zindani and other influential clerics for fear of losing power.

The clerics organized a protest against the legislation on Sunday by a group of women.  One of the protestors, a woman in a black veil and face robes, carried a sign that read “Yes to the Islamic rights of women.”  Another woman at the protest said “I was married at 15 and have many children now.  And I will marry my daughter at the same age if I decide she is ready for it.”

Child brides has been a contentious debate in Yemen starting three years when an 8 year old girl in Yemen courageously went by herself to a courtroom and demanded that the judge dissolve her marriage to a man in his 30’s.  The judge ultimately annulled the marriage and since that time legislators have been looking for ways to curb the practice of child brides.

For more information, please see:

Hurriyet Daily News- Yemeni Protestors Support Proposed Child Marriage Ban– 24 March 2010

The Washington Post- Top Yemeni Clerics Oppose Ban on Child Brides– 22 March 2010

The Straits Times- Women Oppose Child Marriage Ban– 21 March 2010