Trial of Parents in Västerbotten Highlights Ongoing Child Marriage Concerns
Trial of parents accused of planning their underage daughter's marriage raises serious child marriage concerns in Sweden.
Key Points
- • Two parents in Västerbotten on trial for planning to marry off their underage daughter
- • The girl reported abuse and restrictions on her social life
- • Sweden's child marriage law prohibits marriage under 18, with significant penalties
- • Ongoing reports indicate rising cases of child marriage since law enforcement began in 2020.
A significant trial is currently taking place in Umeå, Västerbotten, where two parents are accused of attempting to arrange a marriage for their underage daughter. The parents, who deny the allegations, are facing serious charges related to violating Sweden's strict laws against child marriage. According to the prosecution, these parents allegedly chose a fiancé for their daughter and planned to travel to their home country for the wedding.
The case emerged after local social services were alerted by a regional coordinator focused on combating prostitution and human trafficking. An ensuing investigation revealed that the family operated within a harmful culture of honor, which reportedly restricted the girl's social interactions and subjected her to physical abuse. The young girl has indicated that she lives in fear of retribution from her parents for speaking out about her situation, reporting instances of violence and threats to her well-being.
In Sweden, the law firmly prohibits marriage for those under the age of 18, a measure enacted on July 1, 2020, which criminalizes facilitating marriages involving minors. Violators can face significant penalties, including imprisonment for up to four years. Since this law's introduction, there has been a troubling uptick in reported cases. Official statistics show alarming figures: 19 cases were reported in 2020, 87 in 2021, 72 in 2022, 57 in 2023, and 45 in 2024. Additionally, a study by the Gender Equality Agency revealed that since 2014, the Swedish Tax Agency has recorded 556 marriages involving minors, predominantly among girls from outside the EU.
Mikael Thörn, head of the agency's honor-related violence and oppression unit, acknowledged that societal practices often contradict the law. He emphasized the urgent need for improved cooperation between various authorities to tackle the issue of honor-related violence. The trial of the Västerbotten parents is set to conclude on August 19, with a verdict expected in the following weeks, potentially setting legal precedents and highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance against practices surrounding child marriage in Sweden.