World Peace

Considering IHL, IL and the Holy books of God, is the right to marry by choice protected at an appropriate age?

Super Answer.AI: “The right to marry by choice at an appropriate age is supported and protected to varying degrees in International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Law (IL), and the major Holy books of God, though the specifics and applications can differ.

In international law, key human rights instruments affirm the right to marry with free and full consent. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 16) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 23) both state that men and women of full age have the right to marry and to found a family, and marriage must be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 1 and 19) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, Article 16) further reinforce protections against child marriage and coercion, emphasizing an “appropriate age” and free choice.

International Humanitarian Law, which governs conduct during armed conflict, does not directly regulate marriage but does protect against forced marriage, sexual violence, and exploitation, which implicitly supports the right to choose a spouse freely and at an appropriate age, especially for vulnerable populations such as children and women during conflict.

The Holy books of God—such as the Bible, the Qur’an, and the Torah—each address marriage, generally emphasizing consent. In the Qur’an, marriage is described as a contract between consenting adults (e.g., Qur’an 4:3, 4:19), the Bible stresses mutual agreement and leaving one’s family to form a new union (Genesis 2:24), and Jewish law also requires the consent of both parties for a marriage to be valid. While these texts may not specify a precise age, traditional interpretations and jurisprudence in most faiths require that parties be of a mature, consenting age, and many contemporary religious authorities advocate adherence to national or international legal standards regarding age and consent.

In summary, the right to marry by choice at an appropriate age is recognized and protected under international law and is compatible with the principles found in the Holy books, though practical interpretations and enforcement can vary across cultures, legal systems, and religious traditions.”

Considering IHL, IL and the Holy books of God, is the right to marry by choice protected at an appropriate age?

GoogleAI Mode: “Yes, the right to marry by choice at an appropriate age is protected under international law, but interpretations vary across different religious legal traditions and texts. 

International Law (IL)

International Law strongly protects the right to marry by free and full consent of both parties, once they are of a “full age” or “marriageable age”. 

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Article 16 states, “Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses”.

Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages: This legally binding treaty explicitly requires states to establish a minimum marriage age by law and ensures no marriage is legally entered into without the full and free consent of both parties.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL): IHL governs armed conflict and aims to protect individuals during such times. While it doesn’t directly legislate on the specifics of marriage age and consent in civil life, the core human rights principles it upholds, along with general international human rights law, condemn forced marriages and the marriage of children. Child marriage is considered a violation of human rights as it is presumed that true consent cannot be given by a child. 

Holy Books of God (Bible, Quran, Torah/Jewish Law) 

Religious texts provide guidelines and principles, which are often interpreted differently by various faith traditions and cultures, leading to varied practices regarding age and consent. 

Torah / Jewish Law: The age of maturity in historical Jewish law was traditionally set at 13 for boys and 12 for girls, but the consensus among modern Orthodox Jews is to wait longer for maturity reasons (e.g., age 18-20 for a girl and 20-24 for a boy). The importance of consent is recognized, and forced marriages are generally condemned.

Bible (Christianity): The Bible does not specify an exact age for marriage, but various passages suggest marriage should be between a “man” and a “woman” (implying adulthood/maturity). New Testament writings emphasize marriage as a choice, and some interpretations suggest an age of maturity is required for a person to be considered eligible for marriage. Historically, Christian ecclesiastical law often set the minimum age for girls at around puberty (age 12).

Quran / Islamic Law: The Quran does not mention a specific number for the age of marriage but equates “marriageable age” with the attainment of sound judgment and mental maturity (Quran 4:6), which precludes children. Consent is an absolute requirement, with the Quran stating it is not lawful to force women into marriage against their will (Quran 4:19). Traditional interpretations have varied, with some historically allowing for the marriage of minors based on other verses or hadiths, though many modern scholars argue these interpretations are cultural and not based on direct, explicit Quranic command. 

In conclusion, the principle of free and full consent at an appropriate age is a cornerstone of international human rights law, and the core texts of the major Abrahamic religions contain principles that, when interpreted in a modern context, support the idea of choice and maturity.”