Romanian Parliament passes law criminalising forced marriage and cohabitation
Romania's Parliament approved a bill that makes forced marriages and forced cohabitation crimes, with tougher penalties for minors, pending presidential signature.
On Wednesday, Romania’s Parliament adopted legislation aimed at outlawing forced marriages and forced cohabitation, a proposal co-authored by USR deputy Diana Buzoianu, who also serves as minister of the environment. The bill defines the offenses as compelling a person to marry or live in a marital-like relationship against their will. For minors under 16, the sanction is two to seven years in prison and loss of certain rights; for adults or minors 16 and older, the term is one to five years, also with possible rights restrictions.
Aggravating circumstances—such as the victim being under the perpetrator’s care or the use of weapons—trigger higher penalties. The law further criminalises transporting or accompanying a victim abroad to force a marriage, and mandates that TV and radio broadcast warning messages between 18:00 and 22:00 for four months after enactment. The measure now awaits presidential promulgation before becoming enforceable.
Why it matters
It strengthens legal protection for vulnerable people and signals Romania's resolve to end forced marriage.
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