Mark says UNC supports marriage at 18

In his contribution to debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Marriage) Bill 2016, Mark said the UNC’s position on the issue of child marriage was made clear by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar last May. Not referring to any person or group by name, Mark said the UNC has always facilitated, “the views of powerful organisations in this country”, even if it did not agree with those views.

He said, “It is a position we have taken in the past, we have taken it in the present and we shall take it in the future.” Alleging that the executive of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha and Muslim groups in the country have not been consulted on the bill, Mark warned Government against using its power in Parliament whimsically and capriciously to pass the bill. He called for the legislation to be referred to a joint select committee (JSC) for the next three to six months so that “a happy compromise” can be reached amongst all stakeholders.

Stressing the bill will impact on four major religious groups in TT, Mark said Government cannot say, “Away with the Hindus, away with the Muslims, away with the Orishas, away with the Christians. He called on Government to ensure there is genuine consultation on the legislation and not to “bring the hammer down on the heads of people” because it believes it has power in Parliament. Mark told senators that the Executive is always accountable to the Parliament.

While supporting the legal age of marriage at 18 years, Mark said exceptions could be made in the cases of persons between the ages of 16 to 18 years.

He said those exceptions should involve the consent of parents, consent of a judge, the involvement of the child and adequate legal aid.

Saying that 2,500 children under 18 years are raped annually and there are 2,000 unofficial rapes annually, Mark said the Government is being, “very quiet on this matter.” After he alleged that Government is starving the Children’s Authority of resources, Mark asked government senators, “Is the Government prepared to legalise abortion?” Mark said some of these unplanned pregnancies are the result of rape and statutory rape is a crime in TT.