Page 491 - El État de los derechos humanos en el desarrollo sostenible

EL ETAT DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS EN EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE

nineteen and twenty-five, a girl between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two. A girl may veto
the spouse her parents have chosen for her. There is a form of bride-service; that is, the

young man may take a vow to serve his prospective father-in-law for a period of time (3-6

months). After a spouse has been selected, each family investigates the other to make sure its

child is marrying into a good family. By tradition, the youngest daughter and her spouse are
expected to live with and care for her ageing parents and their land.[4]

MARRIAGE IN KHMER ROUGE (KR) TIME
In KR time, marriages were organized and held in a systematic manner throughout the

country. They took place in impersonal mass ceremonies organized by Khmer Rouge leader 3

– 160 couples. Shortly before the ceremony couples would be approached and informed that

they were to be married. Most couples had no choice their partner.

According to case study interviews, “forced marriage” is understood by respondents to

represent at least three distinct offenses: the loss of choice and consent; the loss of the
traditional wedding; the loss of parent and relatives participate.

Angkar (Khmer Rouge leadership) took over the role of parent for the population. Khmer
Rouge forced marriages may have been unique in compelling husbands to rape their wives as

a means of securing their own survival. In some instances women reported that Khmer

Rouge cadres assisted husbands in raping their new wives if they refused to have sex.

493