The politicians ‘ decision was influenced by a sharp wave of refugees arriving in Germany.
German society and policy makers concerned with child marriages, the number of which is growing rapidly among migrants and refugees.
According to the number of official marriages involving minors in 2015 reaches more than a thousand. While the actual number of such marriages is much higher. The President of the German Association for the protection of children, Heinz Hilgers insists that those who come to the country, adhered to the laws.
This means that the marriage be 18 years, and only in some exceptional cases from 16.
“Criminal law needs to be changed so that even marriage, bonded on a religious or a civil ceremony, not in the registry office, can be considered as coercive and therefore considered as a criminal offence which provides for imprisonment up to five years,” says Hilgers.
According to the Minister of justice, Heiko Maas, a review of the situation will take place on 5 September. However all unequivocally oppose marriages involving children.
