Domestic abuse for 11 years

Concerning K.I.A. vs. Denmark for violation of articles 1 and 2 (d), read in conjunction with articles 2 (e) and (f) of CEDAW.

The author travelled to Denmark in 2013 with her 5 children and applied for asylum. The author is a Jordanian of Palestinian origin. She was forced to marry a 47-year-old man whom she did not know and was subjected to domestic abuse for 11 years, characterized by rape and controlling and degrading treatment. The marriage was arranged by her family and she was left alone in Jordan. The author got pregnant on seven occasions and had two miscarriages as a result of violence. On at least four occasions, the author sought the protection of the police, showing marks of beating and bruises. The police rejected to help her, thus she applied to court. The court informed her that, in the event of divorce, her husband would have full custody of the children, which she could not accept.

The Committee is of the view that the author has failed to substantiate that the assessment of her case by the Danish authorities resulted in any gender-based discrimination, and has decided that the communication is inadmissible.

22. July 2021

CEDAW 82/2015
  • Decision: 17 December 2019
  • Comm: Gender