Subject: Human rights in Romania - underage marriages in the gypsy community

P-3020/03EN

Answer given by Mr Verheugen

on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2003)

The Commission is aware of the traditional Roma wedding of two minors that recently took place in Romania. This wedding does not have legal force because the two minors have not reached the legal age for marriage under Romanian law.

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the Child Protection Department of the province where the traditional wedding took place reached an agreement with the parents concerned.  As a result both children have returned to their parents' homes, they will go to school and will attend counselling sessions at the Child Protection Service until they reach the legal age of marriage.