Women victims of unofficial marriages in Idlib have no rights
The number of unofficial marriages in Idlib increases every day. Women victims of these marriages have no right to inherit and custody. They have to prove their marriages to get custody of their children.
HADEEL Al-OMAR
Idlib- The number of unofficial marriages in Idlib increases. Women victims of unofficial marriages have to first prove that they are married to get their rights and custody of their children.
‘I cannot prove that I am married’
Raghdaa Al-Yassin (31), a displaced woman living in the Atma refugee camp in Idlib, is a victim of unofficial marriage. She had an unofficial marriage five years ago. “I have been deprived of all rights. My life was turned upside down because I did not know anything about laws. I had a marriage according to customs and traditions. Since my husband did not use his real name, I cannot prove that I am married. For this reason, I cannot ask for alimony.”
Her child has no ID card
Having a child, Raghdaa Al-Yassin said, “My child has no ID card and is listed as an ‘unregistered person’. My child has no nationality or identity and rights. Victims of unofficial marriages cannot ask for alimony or get custody of their children and they have no right to inherit. They cannot even prove their marriages.”
‘He refused our marriage’
The story of Heba Al-Surani (29) is similar to the other victims of unofficial marriages. When she decided to ask for a divorce, her husband refused their marriage. “There are no official documents that prove my marriage. I cannot even prove that my child is my child. I have no legal rights.”
She tries to prove her marriage to get custody of her child
Heba al-Surani asked for an official marriage from her husband, “However, he always postponed the official marriage. All women in the camp suffer from the same situation. I have been trying to prove my marriage for months to get custody of my child.”
A phenomenon that deprives women of their rights
Human rights defender Rula Al-Diab said that many women living in IDPs camps suffer from unofficial marriages. “Such marriages have become a social issue, a phenomenon that deprives women of their rights. Women and children are the victims of such marriages. Awareness-raising campaigns and activities should be carried out.”