MEP calls for ban on forced marriage

Date published: 30/04/2007

Relatives who attempt to force a family member to marry against their will could face jail under tough new measures unveiled by the Government.

Each year more than 300 cases of forced marriage are reported in the UK, with many involving Asian families However, hundreds are thought to go unreported.

Chris Davies, Rochdale’s Lib-Dem Euro-MP is now calling for support to be given to an attempt to make such unions illegal.

The Forced Marriages (Civil Protection) Bill 2006-07, which will be debated today, was introduced by another Liberal Democrat, Lord Lester of Herne Hill.

If it became law, it would enable women to apply for a civil injunction to stop them being forced to marry. Injunctions could also be sought by third parties acting on a victim’s behalf.

As a last resort, victims could go to court to claim compensation for damages and injuries suffered.

Despite a breach of an injunction not being a criminal offence, it would constitute contempt of court and could lead to a prison sentence.

The bill would also enables county courts to hear forced marriage cases. Currently, they can only be heard by the High Court.

At present, no law exists to prevent relatives from forcing a member of their family into marriage.

And in the few cases where prosecutions follow they are usually based on charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment or physical abuse.

Some campaigners have described forced marriage as a form of slavery involving legalised rape.

Mr Davies said: "Forced marriages amount to a complete denial of individual freedom, usually involving the coercion of vulnerable women by fathers or brothers."

But he insisted that no comparison could be made between the violence of a forced marriage and the partnership of an arranged marriage, in which the individuals concerned are free to make the final decision for themselves.

Last year, a summary of responses to the consultation on the criminalisation of forced marriage was published by the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) as part of its ongoing programme to tackle the issue.

The consultation document, Forced Marriage: a Wrong Not a Right. was published in September, 2005, and sets out the advantages and disadvantages of creating a specific criminal offence relating to forced marriage.

While there was no clear majority among respondents about whether or not a specific offence of forcing someone into marriage should be created, the majority felt that creating new legislation would drive forced marriage underground.

Three recommendations for will now be taken forward. Increasing the level of training to professionals who work in this field and engaging more with affected communities.

Increasing the work done with agencies in sharing best practice and implementing guidelines.

Ensuring that existing legislation is fully implemented, including making better use of civil remedies and the family courts.