Law news
Britain considers banning forced marriage
The British government said it was considering making forced marriage a criminal offence as it deals with hundreds of cases, mostly relating to people of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin.
Ministers stressed the government had not decided whether to proceed and a consultation document acknowledged a change in the law could backfire by scaring many more youngsters away from bringing charges against their parents.
"Many victims are reluctant to see their families get into trouble," the document said.
Most of the cases concerned people of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin but there were others in Britain with ties around the world who were being forced into marriage by their families.
Though the number of forced marriages may be far higher, the government's Forced Marriages Unit has dealt with 1,000 cases brought forward by unhappy spouses since it started work in 2000 and has seen 75 repatriations.
"Forced marriage is marriage without freely given consent," said Home Office minister Baroness Patricia Scotland.
"It is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence. Every major world religion condemns it.
Source: AFP, London
