APPENDIX C: International law principles
"Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses." Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16(2) ( http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml#a16)
"No marriage shall be legally entered into without the full and free consent of both parties." UN Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages, Article 1
( http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/convention.htm#wp1033262)
"In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration." United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 3 ( http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm#art3)
"States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent: (a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity" United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 34a ( http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm#art34)
"A woman's right to choose a spouse and enter freely into marriage is central to her life and her dignity and equality as a human being." General Recommendation No. 21, Comment Article 16 (1) (b), UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women ( http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm#article16)
"Protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse" United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 19 ( http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm#art19)
"Abolish traditional practices detrimental to the health of children" United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 24 ( http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm#art24)
"Protect children from torture and other ill-treatment" United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 37 ( http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm#art37)