Forced marriages as human rights violation

Abstract

Forced marriage, which is not entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses, is violation of internationally recognised human rights standards. In Turkey; there are many types of forced marriage. Protecting perceived cultural or religious ideals is the most significant factor leads to forced marriage. A forced marriage will be a marriage where all kinds of violence in the family will most likely be experienced. Some European countries made forced marriage into a criminal offence, but it is not defined as a criminal offence in Turkey. This study aims to point out the situation and the types of forced marriages in Turkey and to bring suggestions to struggle with forced marriages.