Proposed Fine for Unregistered Nikah Marriage: 10,000 Soms
Kyrgyzstan Proposes Fine for Religious Wedding Ceremonies without State Registration
A proposal has been put forward in Kyrgyzstan to impose a fine of 100 calculated rates (equivalent to 10,000 soms) on individuals who conduct religious wedding ceremonies without state registration of marriage. This draft law has been submitted for public discussion, as reported by the 24.kg news agency.
The reasoning behind this proposal lies in the recommendation from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which suggests prohibiting all marriages for individuals under 18 years old, including eliminating the ability to obtain permission to marry at 17. To align with this recommendation, the draft Family Code of the Kyrgyz Republic introduces the concept of “marriageable age”, stipulating that individuals must be 18 years old to enter into marriage.
Furthermore, the draft law also seeks to prohibit religious marriages without state registration, with violating this rule resulting in penalties in accordance with existing legislation on offenses. The Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of Kyrgyzstan were responsible for developing this draft law, titled “On the introduction of the Family Code and amendments to certain legislative acts in the field of family legislation in the Kyrgyz Republic”.
This proposed legislation reflects efforts to uphold the rights and protections of individuals, particularly young people, in the institution of marriage. The public discussion on this draft law will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to weigh in on its potential impact and implications for the country.
