Germany Records 358 Child Marriages in Shocking Discovery

(Germany Map. Photo by Unsplash)

Germany's Baden Württemberg state has recorded 358 child marriages since April 2012.

Some of the girls were as young as 11.

The numbers came out after AfD politicians asked the state government for data.

Only eight of the marriages were annulled, and it is not clear when or why.

The state government said no court cases are open to cancel any of them.

Since 2015 there have been 350 cases, many involving people from Syria, Iraq and Pakistan.

AfD politician Nikolaos Boutakoglou said nearly 40 percent involved Syrians.

Marriages between two Germans made up only 0.3 percent.

Most of the underage spouses were girls.

The UN says nearly one in five women worldwide married before turning 18.

UNICEF calls child marriage a serious human rights violation.

It can lead to early pregnancy, dropping out of school, abuse and fewer job chances.