By JENNIFER QUINN
A British law went into effect Tuesday that allows courts to prevent someone from being forced into marriage - a move that comes as governments across Europe confront immigrant practices that sometimes clash with more liberal values.
In the first nine months of 2008, the Forced Marriage Unit - part of Britain's Foreign Office - handled more than 1,300 cases in which there were concerns someone was about to be forced into marriage, or already had been.
Nearly 85 percent of the cases had female victims, and the majority involved families of Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi descent, the unit said. About half involved minors.
The Forced Marriage Act gives British courts the power to issue protection orders that can stop intimidation or violence, prevent someone from having to go abroad, and compel someone to reveal the whereabouts of a person believed to be at risk.
The act allows the victim, a friend, or an agency working with the person at risk - like the police, social services or organizers of a women's refuge - to apply for a protection order. Anyone who violates such an order can be jailed for two years.
It is not a crime in Britain to force someone into marriage. But the practice often includes offenses such as abuse, assault, rape and kidnapping. Read more ...
A British law went into effect Tuesday that allows courts to prevent someone from being forced into marriage - a move that comes as governments across Europe confront immigrant practices that sometimes clash with more liberal values.
In the first nine months of 2008, the Forced Marriage Unit - part of Britain's Foreign Office - handled more than 1,300 cases in which there were concerns someone was about to be forced into marriage, or already had been.
Nearly 85 percent of the cases had female victims, and the majority involved families of Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi descent, the unit said. About half involved minors.
The Forced Marriage Act gives British courts the power to issue protection orders that can stop intimidation or violence, prevent someone from having to go abroad, and compel someone to reveal the whereabouts of a person believed to be at risk.
The act allows the victim, a friend, or an agency working with the person at risk - like the police, social services or organizers of a women's refuge - to apply for a protection order. Anyone who violates such an order can be jailed for two years.
It is not a crime in Britain to force someone into marriage. But the practice often includes offenses such as abuse, assault, rape and kidnapping. Read more ...
Source: AP
H/T: Dhimmi Watch
 |
Posts
