Tragic ending of a very early marriage

Informed about a tragic ending of a very early marriage which occurred unexpectedly on May 24, 2002 in Sinthiou Bamamabé between Ms. Dieynaba Hamady SOW, a young schoolgirl of 12 years of age (in primary school level 2) and her cousin. The human rights observatory of RADDHO in Saint Louis immediately sent a delegation of two (2) members to the place in order to make an inquiry about the situation.

The delegation was able to gather the following information:

On May 25, 2002, the young Dieynaba Hamady SOW spent her wedding night with her cousin, after which she immediately fell ill, struck by atrocious abdominal pains.

On Saturday, May 31, 2002, the young child died, "in consequence of vaginal lesions and a hemorrhage which began to result in a paralysis of her limbs."

This information was gathered afterwards on the grounds - the marriage was celebrated by the girl's uncles in total ignorance of her father living in France, as well as against the will of her mother who was seriously worried by the young age of her daughter.

This tragic ending might have been prevented if the young Dieynaba had been transported in time to the hospital at Ourossogui, as was recommended by the attending nurse.

In spite of the intense emotions that have seized the village, a law of silence still reigns supreme there, for fear of eventual legal actions.

The human rights observatory for RADDHO in Saint Louis expresses its profound concern in regards to the incident of this young girl and to the reports of frequent practices of early marriages, which constitute an intolerable attack on the fundamental rights of the child.

RADDHO vigorously denounces these practices which violate the following provisions:
- the constitution of Senegal outlined in Articles 7 and 18;
- The Family Code, Articles 108 and 111;
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child 1990;
- The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
- The African Charter on Human and People's Rights, Article 7.

RADDHO invites the authorities to open an investigation in order to locate the responsible parties and to take all the necessary measures to ensure that the rights and health of the population are not violated, not those living in the capital or those in Sinthiou Bamambé.

RADDHO invites the State, civil society, traditional leaders and religious officials to unite in a large awareness campaign in order to put an end to future dramas regarding early marriages.

Secretary General, RADDHO

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