Human rights in Romania – Marriages of underage Roma, Commission’s response

Parliamentary Questions

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3020/03

Submission: Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(03 October 2003)

Subject: Human rights in Romania – Marriages of underage Roma

P-3020/03EL

Response of Mr. Verheugen

on behalf of the Commission

(24.10.2003)

The Commission is aware of the case of the traditional Roma marriage that was recently conducted between two minors in Romania. This marriage has no legal validity as the two minors do not meet the legal marriage age according to Romanian law.

The Commission is able to inform the Honourable Member of Parliament that the Child Protection Department of the district where the traditional marriage took place reached an agreement with the parents of the minors. As a result of this agreement, the two children returned to their parents’ homes and will attend school while also receiving counseling sessions at the Child Protection Service until they reach the legal marriage age.