MINISTERS have been accused of delaying plans to ban under-18s from marrying — while boasting about protecting children’s rights.
Campaigners blasted Nats for shelving moves to safeguard vulnerable young Scots until next summer.
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And they were slammed for lagging behind Westminster which in February introduced laws banning 16 and 17-year-olds from tying the knot in England and Wales, even if their parents approve.
Earlier this month Scots Community Safety Minister Siobhan Brown vowed to “consult” on the issue by summer 2024, in papers to MSPs.
Her lowley pledge came on the same day MSPs voted to enshrine the UN children’s rights charter into Scots law.
Natasha Rattu, below, of anti-forced marriage charity Karma Nirvana, attacked the “frustrating” hold-ups amid concerns youngsters could be coerced into wedlock.
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She told The Scottish Sun: “There is obviously a resistance to bring this law in.
“It’s disappointing this isn’t happening sooner.
“There’s absolutely no positive feature to child marriage. It’s almost endorsing it.
“The evidence is there — it’s a relatively straightforward, quick win to ensure this loophole doesn’t exist.
“This law could have a huge impact on lives.”
Currently Scots aged 16 or 17 can marry without parental consent.
Official records reveal there have been 311 weddings here involving at least one boy or girl aged 16 or 17 since 2012, including 18 last year — and 1,653 since 2000.
Child welfare experts have for decades argued newlyweds should be no younger than 18.
In 1994 the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 1994 vowed: “The minimum age for marriage should be 18 for both man and woman.”
And the organisation’s Committee on the Rights of the Child said months ago that marriages involving 16 and 17-year-olds should be banned “without exception” to avoid exploitation.
Earlier this year First Minister Humza Yousaf was quizzed on whether Holyrood would follow the UK Government’s lead by outlawing child weddings.
But he said: “I don’t think it’s a significant priority.
“I think at the moment we have good laws in place for our children.”
Conservative MP Pauline Latham, who sponsored the Westminister legislation, last night told The Scottish Sun: “It would be churlish to delay for any reason, as it would help those children who are married too young to have a more informed say in their future.”
Barnardo’s Scotland director Martin Crewe backed the demands to look after our youngsters.
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He insisted: “We hope this change in the law can be progressed as quickly as possible to ensure children’s rights are protected.”
Last night a Scottish Government spokesman said: “We want to carefully consider the full implications of any change.”
