§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the practice of forced marriage among British Muslims. [21618]
§ Angela EagleThe practice of forced marriage is wrong. Forced marriage occurs where a marriage is conducted without the valid consent of both parties, and where duress is a factor. It can affect many communities from a variety of cultural backgrounds and continents, not just Muslims. All major world religions condemn forced marriage.
On 6 November, the Government announced their action plan to tackle the problem, including measures to support victims, in response to the report of the Working Group on forced Marriage "A Choice by Right" published last year. Copies of this report, the joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office action plan and the progress report on the latter are available in the Library and on the Home Office website.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British Muslims have complained to the Department about being forced into marriage against their will in the last five years. [21614]
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§ Angela EagleWe do not have figures covering the past five years. During the past two years, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has had over 300 inquiries on forced marriage. These include people who have:
- (i) already been forced into a marriage and are back in the United Kingdom and have contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO);
- (ii) people who have made telephone calls to the FCO prior to leaving the United Kingdom, stating they fear they may be forced into a marriage;
- (iii) people who have escaped a forced marriage and have been repatriated back to the UK with the help of the Consulates ;and
- (iv) people who are still in the countries where they have been taken to by their families to be forced into a marriage but are unable to escape because they are being held against their will.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures there are to ensure that British Muslims are able to choose their marriage partner freely. [21615]
§ Angela EagleUnder United Kingdom law, any marriage requires the valid consent of both parties. We are seeking to raise awareness of the legal position in the communities affected by forced marriage, particularly community leaders and potential or actual victims.