Kyrgyz lawmakers have resumed the debate over a bill to increase the maximum prison term for bride kidnapping from three to seven years.
The parliament already approved the bill in its first and second readings.
To become law, the bill must be approved by the parliament in its third reading, receive the approval of two parliamentary committees, and be signed by the country's president.
Local rights activists say about 12,000 Kyrgyz women are kidnapped and forced into marriage every year.
Many of the abducted women are younger than 18, which is the minimum legal age for marriage.
Early marriages are often registered unofficially at mosques, depriving the women of their legal rights.
Some members of parliament voted against the bill, saying bride kidnapping is a national tradition.
The parliament already approved the bill in its first and second readings.
To become law, the bill must be approved by the parliament in its third reading, receive the approval of two parliamentary committees, and be signed by the country's president.
Local rights activists say about 12,000 Kyrgyz women are kidnapped and forced into marriage every year.
Many of the abducted women are younger than 18, which is the minimum legal age for marriage.
Early marriages are often registered unofficially at mosques, depriving the women of their legal rights.
Some members of parliament voted against the bill, saying bride kidnapping is a national tradition.
