Tewarie, Hinds squabble on Marriage Bill

“This bill deals with none of these things,” he declared. Tewarie also said the bill did not deal with issues of child abuse or domestic violence. Saying he supported the existence of a secular state in TT and not a theocratic one, Tewarie said, “I am against child marriage..forced marriage..

interferring with under age girls and little children by big men.” He reiterated the Opposition’s call for Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to return the three-fifths majority provision which was removed when the bill was passed in the Senate on January 17. Tewarie said because TT is “a nation of minorities”, the State needed to be sensitive, responsive and responsible on this issue.

Hinds quoted two Biblical verses to counter Tewarie’s argument that all 16-year old people understood the seriousness of marriage.

“Once it requires parental consent, it implies that 16 year old is unable to make a solemn decision,” he said. The minister opined, “Maturity in most cases comes a little bit later.” Explaining that the Constitution provides for equality of treatment, Hinds said child marriage and inequality among sexes is no longer acceptable in today’s world. He said Al-Rawi’s decision to remove the three-fifths majority provision in the bill was, “done on the basis of legal authority.” Saying there must be certainty in the law, Hinds wished Tewarie would “get off his high unconstitutional horse and settle down behind the law and best practice.”