Activists Condemn Gypsy Girl's Arranged Wedding in Romania

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

(3:58 PM ET) (19:58 GMT)

The Associated Press

"They are messing with the life of a human being. Maybe that girl wanted something else out of life -- not to marry before she was 13," said Valentin Militaru, a 23-year-old computer specialist from Bucharest.

BUCHAREST, Romania -- AP
Human rights activists and Romanians on Tuesday condemned the arranged marriage of a 12-year-old Gypsy girl, saying it was illegal and a violation of human rights.

Ana Maria Cioaba, 12, was married off Saturday to Birita Mihai, 15. The reluctant bride once stormed out of the church during the service and later told reporters she did not consider herself to be married.

The marriage -- which made the front pages of many Romanian newspapers -- had been arranged by the girl's father, Florin Cioaba, a self-declared Gypsy king.

The forced marriage was a human rights violation, said Mark Percival, the leader of the Romanian Think Tank, a group that fights for democratic reforms in Romania.

"I totally condemn this marriage. It is against European Union legislation. It is violation of the right to marriage because they are being forced into a marriage they don't want," Percival said Tuesday. Romania hopes to join the EU in 2007.
(More: CNN.com/World)
2003 © The Associated Press.

"Nobody asked her whether she wanted it," Dana Cherendea, an adviser to Florin Cioaba said. "It is part of a tradition for Gypsies, and the marriage shows that traditions are respected. It is not the one you want, it's the one you get."

Not entirely so, as Ana Maria’s cousin points out here:

``I don't want to marry, I am choosy and I have refused several marriage partners my parents presented to me.''

-- Gabriela Mihai, 17

I wonder how many times the media will twist this one...

Dan