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UNICEF representation in Azerbaijan comments on suicide committed by 15-year-old Guba resident on wedding day

03 December 2009 16:37 (UTC +04:00)

The message sent to APA by UNICEFâ€™s representation in Azerbaijan condemns early marriages.
â€œAccording to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted in 1989, the person under 18 is considered a child and the marriage at this age is assessed as early marriage. The standards determined by the international pacts and conventions on the human rights regard early marriages as violations of human rights.â€

UNICEF representation in Azerbaijan states that experts and human rights defenders express their concern over the increase of early marriages in Azerbaijan.
â€œUNICEF representation in Azerbaijan calls to take necessary measures, including prophylactic and legislative measures to prevent early marriages in Azerbaijan. The government should take necessary measures to review traditional and civil laws, set the legal marriage age for boys and girls at 18, ensure the implementation of these measures with the support of professionals, including psychologists and social workers.â€

UNICEF representation in Azerbaijan once more calls all interested parties to strengthen efforts to combat early marriages that are regarded as the most serious violations of childrenâ€™s rights in Azerbaijan.

Banovsha Farzaliyeva, 15, committed suicide in Guba region on November 28. She hanged herself in the attic of the cattle farm. According to the inspector investigating the case, the 15-year-old girl committed suicide, as she was made to marry the man she did not love.