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04/05/2007
Northern Ireland to be included in marriage bill
The Secretary of State, Peter Hain has announced that inclusion of Northern Ireland will be sought in the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill.
The Bill seeks to protect those faced with being forced into marriage, under duress and without consent. People will be able to apply to court to have an injunction made to prevent others forcing them into marriage, or being taken out of the country to be married abroad.
Speaking today, Mr Hain said: “Forced marriage is a human rights abuse that causes misery to its victims. It is expressly prohibited by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and I strongly support the added protection that the Forced Marriages Bill will provide.
“It is important that potential victims in Northen Ireland should receive the same level of protection as others elsewhere in the United Kingdom.”
The Bill has received widespread support from organisations working to prevent forced marriage in England and Wales.
Inclusion of Northern Ireland, together with other aspects of the Bill, will be considered by the Grand Committee of the House of Lords on Thursday 10 May 2007.
(JM)
The Bill seeks to protect those faced with being forced into marriage, under duress and without consent. People will be able to apply to court to have an injunction made to prevent others forcing them into marriage, or being taken out of the country to be married abroad.
Speaking today, Mr Hain said: “Forced marriage is a human rights abuse that causes misery to its victims. It is expressly prohibited by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and I strongly support the added protection that the Forced Marriages Bill will provide.
“It is important that potential victims in Northen Ireland should receive the same level of protection as others elsewhere in the United Kingdom.”
The Bill has received widespread support from organisations working to prevent forced marriage in England and Wales.
Inclusion of Northern Ireland, together with other aspects of the Bill, will be considered by the Grand Committee of the House of Lords on Thursday 10 May 2007.
(JM)
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