CPI-M MP slams India's refusal to sign UN marriage resolution

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member T N Seema slammed India's decision not to sign the UN resolution for the prevention of child marriages, and urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in the atter.
It was 'perplexing' why the country has taken such a stand despite India having about 24 million child brides, representing 40 per cent of the 60 million world's child marriages, she said.
The global resolution, adopted by the 24th session of the UN Human Rights Council was supported by over 107 countries, including almost all nations with high rates of child marriages, she said in a recent letter to the Prime Minister.

"The reason as to why our country, which had restrained child marriages below the age of 18 for girls as early as 1978 and passed a law in 2006 banning marriages of girls under the age of 18, has taken such a stand at the UN forum is most perplexing," she said in the letter.
"As the international community continues to discuss the matter and takes steps towards an inclusive world free from violence, discrimination and human rights violation, it is shocking that our country has chosen to ignore the rights of millions of girls," Seema, also state president of CPI(M)'s women outfit AIDWA, said.

She also urged Singh to look into this matter and ensure that the country supports the UN resolution.