He was tired of the forced marriages of the 12-14-year-old girls, made under the excuse of tradition. “Stop these practices!”

Ciprian Necula, a well -known Romanian activist, agrees with the draft law that prohibits “forced marriages” in his own community. However, he draws attention to a point at the legal initiative.

Early marriages remain one of the most painful realities of some communities in Romania. Girls of 12, 13 or 14 years become wives, sometimes mothers, before they had the chance of childhood. Give up school, freedom, the right to choose. A tradition transformed into destiny. A life story that should have been impossible in the 21st century.

In this context, the legislative initiative signed by Florin Manole and Diana Buzoianu, which proposes the incrimination of “forced marriage” and “coexistence without consent”, is not only welcome, but necessary. The state has the obligation to stop these abusive practices, which undermine human dignity and condemns whole generations to marginality and suffering.

Protection of minors

This law, in fact, marks an important moment: Romania assumes the protection of the most vulnerable persons – minors. It is an important step towards a society in which personal freedom and gender equality are not only ideals, but rules.

However, beyond the correct intention, the text of the law opens an area of ​​interpretation to be clarified.

Marriages between minors, as a social phenomenon existing in some Roma communities, are well documented-in research, media and public debates. Too many times, these engagements, which have no legal or religious value, are followed by premature coexistence and, inevitably, tasks at an early age. Here we are not talking about tradition, but about trauma. About children who raise children, about lives confiscated under the custom of custom.

But there is another reality, less understood: in some traditional communities, the engagement is a symbolic promise between families, without living and without intimate relationships. It is a form of social recognition, a cultural convention, not a violation of fundamental rights.

What problem appears

The problem is that, in the current formulation of the project there is the possibility of sanctioning and such practices:

“It is punished by imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years or with a fine the deed of the person who […]b) officiate religious services or other types of ceremonies or rituals regarding coexistence in a relationship similar to that of the spouses, in the case of a minor who has not reached the age of 16. “

Knowing Florin Manole, I know that his intention is not to stigmatize, but to protect the most vulnerable. It is one of those politicians who understand from the inside the complexity of the relationship between tradition and human rights.

With discernment, not with prejudice

Therefore, I believe that this law needs not to challenge, but of authentic debates, in which the voice of the communities is listened to and respected.

I have said it many times: the cultural reform is not forced, but is built through mutual respect and confidence. This law is a large step forward – but it will be a safe step if it is applied with discernment, not with prejudice.