Educational Brochure

Kidnapping a bride without her consent and forcing her to enter into marriage is a crime!

Constitution of the KR, article 16 guarantees: “Everybody has a right for private life immunity, for respect and protection of his/her honor and dignity.” One, who abducts a girl, violates her constitutional right!

Article 155 of the Criminal Code of the KR punishes bride kidnapping, considering it as a criminal act: “Forcing a woman to marry or to continue a marriage or kidnapping her in order to marry without her consent as well as standing in the way of marriage (impediment) is subject to punishment as a fine in the amount of 100 to 200 minimal wages per month or to imprisonment up to five years.”

Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts: “Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.”

Article 16 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, ratified by the KR in 1995, says: “States parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all matters, relating to marriage and family relations and in particular shall ensure on a basis of equality of men and women:

b) The same right freely to choose a spouse and to enter into marriage only with their free and full consent.”

AGREEING SILENTLY WITH BRIDE KIDNAPPING, YOU SANCTION VIOLENCE, IMPLANT EVIL AND PARTICIPATE IN THE CRIME!

The revival and spread of forced bride kidnappings is based on the myths and gender stereotypes.

MYTH # 1. “A girl becomes happy through tears” - traditionally it is believed, that marriage beginning is dramatic for a girl under any circumstances, that this way – through pain and tears – leads a girl to the happiness.

FACT: Research of forced marriages confirms: “Violence while creating a family implants violence during the whole life. Families where a woman was kidnapped are characterized by chronic socio-psychological tension, frequent scandals, absence of respect, crude relations of spouses to each other.”[1]
Not accidentally, according to the research headed by professor Russell Kleinbach, “Ala kachuu in a Kyrgyz village,”[2] 96% of mothers and 98 % of girls’ fathers don’t want their daughters to be kidnapped without consent. Bride kidnapping is based on the low estimation of girl’s rights. She is not evaluated as a person and is viewed as a good. There is no reason to expect that in the new family, a girl who was forced to enter into marriage might have a high role and status.

FACT: Crisis centers in the country inform, that annually bride kidnapping breaks the lives of tens of girls. In particular, the director of the city center of psychotherapeutic assistance K. Usenov notes, that due to family problems women, who were forced to enter into marriage and couldn’t leave from behind the marriage curtain (koshogo), oftentimes try to commit suicide after 3-4 years. Girls, remember, that the malicious gossips (ill fame) about girls who left both «koshogo» and violator - is a lesser misfortune, than a destroyed life.

Fact: “Ala Kachuu in a Kyrgyz Village,” research headed by professor Russell Kleinbach, shows that the reason for bride kidnapping in 29 % of cases was that the man was afraid that girl would refuse, 7 % - he was afraid that the girl’s parents would refuse him, and 12 % of cases the girl has actually refused a man to marry him. Strong, confident and worthy man will not be afraid to gain a girl’s love and her consent to marry without violation!

FACT: Researchers Nurdin Korzoev (Ingushetiya) and Said Magomed Hasiev (Chechen Republic) have proved that according to Adat and Muslim norms, kidnapping is not a national custom; it actually conflicts with adat and written Muslim law! No mullah will give his blessing to forced marriage. The researcher of Kyrgyz traditions Orozobekova found out that in the 12^th century bride kidnapping among Kyrgyz has been a rather rarity. The book “Iz Obriadovoi Zhizni Kirgizov”[3] studies specific cases of bride kidnapping in the past of Kyrgyz people and states that, though it occurred rarely, such actions were punished. Research headed by Russell Kleinbach revealed that bride kidnapping has increased almost twice in the last 40-50 years. As a hypothesis one can suggest that there was time in the history of Kyrgyz people when they did not practice non-consensual bride kidnapping and it was not even a tradition!

MYTH # 5. Once you get used, you’ll start loving or “The stone stays where the stone is thrown.”

Fact: The research group headed by Russell Kleinbach revealed that: 8 % of bride kidnappings girls refused the forced marriage and left groom’s house afterwards, also 6 % of kidnapping marriages ended with divorce. A man, who kidnapped a girl, might be never forgiven and will not experience full love in his marriage. Evil causes evil; violence cannot generate love. If relatives insist on bride kidnapping, motivating it by this myth, it means they don’t believe that a man is able to win girl’s love and consent. When a kidnapped girl does not agree to enter into marriage, it reduces man’s evaluation and status; he becomes object of ridicule. Loving parents and relatives, who do not pursue selfish benefits, let young people to voluntarily create family.

Myth # 6. If a girl is kidnapped, to leave the groom’s place means to disgrace (shame) the whole family.

Fact: Only the girl herself has a right to decide her destiny, and nobody else can infringe upon her freedom. Young women who did not admit kidnapping and chose your dignity and liberty, you are not alone.

You have a chance to protect your rights and interests! Call us and we will help you!

· Talas, Crisis Center «Maana» under the Center of Women’s Initiatives «Ayalzat» - (03422) 5-38-18

· Osh, Crisis Center «Aruulan» under the Center of Women’s Initiatives «Ayalzat» - (03222) 6-27-17

· Batken, Crisis Center «Janyl Myrza» under OS «Omur Bulagy» - (03622) 2-20-27

The work of information lines under public organizations in Kyrgyzstan is financed by Winrock Int., “Soros-Kyrgyzstan” Foundation, and International Organization on Migration, Democratic Commission of US Embassy.

[1] Tugel’beva B. «The problems of preventing criminal violence towards women», Bishkek, 2003

[2] Russell Kleinbach. http://faculty.philau.edu/kleinbachr/ala_kachuu.htm

[3] Fiel’strup F. Moscow, 2002