Akmal Saidov suggests bringing parents into responsibility who conclude “nikokh” between minors

Director of the National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan Akmal Saidov believes that it is necessary to hold parents accountable for concluding nikokh (marriage) between minors.

“Nikokh does not have legal force. Unfortunately, children born in such a marriage are left without the possibility of obtaining legal support. Only if the court confirms that the spouses really live on the basis of nikokh together for 20 years, then paternity can be recognized,” Saidov said.

The head of the center also recalled that in Uzbekistan a mullah cannot conclude nikokh if a young couple does not present a certificate of marriage. However, according to Saidov, there are still parents who conclude nikokh between minors.

“We need to bring parents of such children into responsibility, including mullahs as accomplices,” Saidov stated.

At the same time, he pointed to a large number of cases of marriage between relatives in the regions.

“According to the law, you cannot marry your close relatives, in accordance with Sharia, you can’t. And how many such marriages are there?  There are lots of them. When all are siblings, who are born tomorrow then? Disabled people. According to the law, one cannot do this, but there is no legal responsibility for violating it,” Saidov added.