Translated via Google translating machine:
Ter Apel - Between January 2014 and early this year have applied for at least 34 Syrian child brides asylum in the Netherlands. In addition, there were another 22 so-called 'nareizende brides on their way to Ter Apel, teenage girls whose husband already residing in our country. This appears from an internal document from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) RTV Noord inspection had in.
How old is the child brides? The figures were published in late March 2015. The IND writes inter alia, that nine of the 34 registered child brides have now reached the age of 18 years. Whatever striking is the young age of some nareizende brides. According to the IND there are two girls of thirteen and fourteen years of two en route to the Netherlands. It also appears that the oldest man (38) is married to a girl of 15 years. Whether brides meanwhile arrived in Ter Apel is not known.
Traumatised teenagers According to Ineke van Winden of the Center Against Child Trafficking and People Smuggling (CKM) in Leeuwarden is in many cases traumatized teenagers. "These girls are still children. Mostly from Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, and married there. They actually need help. At the moment they are trapped in a forced marriage, the risk of new traumas big. "
Politically sensitive Child marriage is recognized in the Netherlands, if registered in the country of origin. Critics say the policy of tolerance of the government seek above all to avoid politically sensitive discussions. And that it is politically sensitive, is also evident from the reaction of Richart Joling chairman of the Labour Party in the municipality Vlagtwedde. He cites figures from the IND shocking. "As a government we stand so that these girls are sexually abused. I find that very reprehensible and very serious. "
Clear policy is missing The IND figures, ie before the current influx of refugees. According Joling ask average currently three child brides a week asylum in Ter Apel. He relies on sources within the COA. "I understand that the employees of the COA do not really know what to do with the situation. Clear policy is missing. The children may ultimately decide whether they want to or together with their spouse will be taken care help. "
Van Winden, it is vital that the COA and other health care institutions to the 'target group' sharp eye. "What's going on here. What we see happening around the refugee centers. We have an eye for the girls who suddenly disappear from the shelter. "
Disappeared Thus disappeared early this month, suddenly a 14-year-old Syrian girl. She was pregnant and spent one and a half month in Ter Apel. The police assumes that she and her husband fled and somewhere in Eastern Europe.
Too busy Recent figures on the number of child brides are missing so. According to spokesperson Yvonne Wiggers of the Ministry of Security and Justice is currently there simply too busy. "We can not provide figures on such short notice. Not even approximately. "
If it is the law is changed as soon as possible to the House. Marriages concluded abroad are now recognized only if both partners are 18 or older. The Senate has yet to vote on the amendment. That happens probably in November.