Azerbaijan may ban marriages between blood relatives

Discussions are underway to amend the legislation to ban marriages between second- and third-degree relatives in Azerbaijan, head of the legislative development sector of the department of legislation and legal policy of the Presidential Administration, Rustam Gasimov, said at public debates on the topic of consanguineous marriages.

Report quotes him as saying the ban may be introduced on marriages between cousins.

"Children with health problems are more often born in such marriages. These marriages negatively affect our gene pool and our future. The issue is very serious, and it is important for the state to take action," Gasimov said.