For 200 Children, Their Holiday Start Means Forced Marriage

In Austria, a nation that prides itself on upholding fundamental rights and European values, a disturbing loophole in the law has allowed as many as 200 young girls to be forcibly married abroad each year. Die Presse reports on the ongoing efforts to close this gap and protect vulnerable minors from the devastating reality of child and forced marriages.

While Austria has enacted laws prohibiting child and forced marriages, a critical exception has allowed girls, particularly those visiting their home countries during summer holidays, to be married under foreign laws. These marriages, though illegal under Austrian law, have often gone unrecognized or unaddressed, leaving these young women in a precarious legal and personal situation upon their return.

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Ich begrüße, dass das Justizministerium nun endlich einen Entwurf vorlegt. Bestehende Lücken müssen konsequent geschlossen werden. Dazu gehören für uns auch jene Anpassungen im internationalen Privatrecht, die sicherstellen, dass Scharia-Recht in Österreich keinen Platz hat. Hier erwarten wir zeitnah weitere Schritte.

The Ministry of Justice, under Minister Anna Sporrer, has now put forth a draft law intended to rectify this situation. The proposal seeks to ensure that marriages involving minors conducted abroad are considered void and annulled in Austria. This move is seen as a crucial step in closing the legal 'gap' and reinforcing the state's commitment to protecting its young citizens from exploitation.

However, the legislative process has not been without its political friction. The ÖVP, represented by Integration Minister Claudia Bauer, has voiced criticism over the perceived 'slowness' of the Justice Ministry, while still supporting the draft's intent. Similarly, the Green Party, through youth spokesperson Barbara Neßler, has stressed that protecting girls from such fates is a matter of 'freedom, security, and human lives,' not mere political posturing. The urgency of the situation demands swift and decisive action to ensure no more children fall victim to these practices.

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Umso enttäuschender ist es, dass die Regierung erneut eine medial groß inszenierte Ankündigung präsentiert, ohne bisher einen konkreten Gesetzesentwurf vorzulegen. Beim Schutz von Mädchen geht es nicht um PR, sondern um Freiheit, Sicherheit und Menschenleben.