On 29th June 2011, Network for a New European generation members Jasvinder Sanghera (Karma Nirvana, UK) and Ahmad Mansour (Heroes, Germany) testified at a Public Hearing on Criminalising Forced Marriages in the EU at the European Parliament. The Public Hearing was co-chaired by EP Vice President Diana Wallis (Liberal/UK) and Jean Lambert (Greens/UK).
Forced marriage is a criminal offence in 6 EU countries – Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany and Malta – and Sweden is expected to debate a proposal to criminalise in mid-2012. Forced Marriage is also criminalised in Norway, not an EU member state though nonetheless subject to all EU legislation through the European Economic Area Agreement. Breaching a Forced Marriage Civil Protection Order is a criminal offence in Scotland though not in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Forced marriage is a criminal offence in 6 EU countries – Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany and Malta – and Sweden is expected to debate a proposal to criminalise in mid-2012. Forced Marriage is also criminalised in Norway, not an EU member state though nonetheless subject to all EU legislation through the European Economic Area Agreement. Breaching a Forced Marriage Civil Protection Order is a criminal offence in Scotland though not in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Jasvinder highlighted that 80% of Forced Marriage Protection Orders issued in the UK culminated in the victim being returned to the perpetrator and called for a larger Hearing to take place where many different stakeholders as well as representatives of the Commission and EU member state governments could have comprehensive discussions on forced marriages, with the press and public present, agreeing on specific actions at EU level with the objective of outlawing the practice in Europe.
Ahmad highlighted the need for a major EU-level study to understand the extent of forced marriages within Europe’s borders. He stressed that working to stop honour crimes was not about attacking a particular religion, but rather about dismantling the structures that support this crime.
Diana Wallis stressed that the meeting highlighted that forced marriage and honour crimes are pan-European phenomena and identified a number of potential suggestions and solutions to implement at EU level by the MEPs and activists working together. She explained that a dual solution was necessary, coupling a change of mentality towards forced marriage with concrete legislation at EU level. Stressing that much work still had to be done, she added “...obviously our laws are not managing to get to grips with this issue.”
Ahmad highlighted the need for a major EU-level study to understand the extent of forced marriages within Europe’s borders. He stressed that working to stop honour crimes was not about attacking a particular religion, but rather about dismantling the structures that support this crime.
Diana Wallis stressed that the meeting highlighted that forced marriage and honour crimes are pan-European phenomena and identified a number of potential suggestions and solutions to implement at EU level by the MEPs and activists working together. She explained that a dual solution was necessary, coupling a change of mentality towards forced marriage with concrete legislation at EU level. Stressing that much work still had to be done, she added “...obviously our laws are not managing to get to grips with this issue.”
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