Pakistani Sharia Court Validates Forced Marriage and Conversion of 13-Year-Old Christian Girl, Sparks Outrage
In a March 25 ruling, Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court upheld the marriage and conversion of Maria, a 13-year-old Christian girl allegedly kidnapped and married by a 30-year-old Muslim man. The bench declared her conversion valid under Sharia law and dismissed official documents indicating she was a minor. Rights groups condemned the verdict, saying the court ignored police reinvestigation reports, the reinstated FIR, and testimony that Maria was held in custody for months. They argue that validating this union undermines child marriage restraint laws and exposes vulnerable minority girls to further abuse. Advocates plan to challenge the decision before a larger bench and call on Pakistan’s authorities to strengthen child protection measures, ensure unlawful marriages are void from the start, and recover minors at risk of forced conversion.
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