17 May 2006
A private member’s bill that aims to protect the victims of forced marriages and prevent them taking place is to be backed by the government.
The Forced Marriages Bill, introduced by Lord Lester, reached committee stage in the House of Lords this week. Ministry of Justice minister Cathy Ashton says: “The changes to the law will enable courts to order injunctions and other measures to prevent forced marriages, and in some cases to attach powers of arrest if those orders are breached.” Under the bill, where a forced marriage has taken place, courts will be able to make orders to protect the victim, and third parties will be allowed to apply to courts for protection on their behalf.
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