Chamber
Plenary, 04 Dec 2008
04 Dec 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Forced Marriages
I welcome today's debate on an extremely serious and important issue. The term "forced marriages" is used a lot by the media, politicians and community organisations, but I am often surprised to discover how many people still do not know the difference between an arranged marriage and a forced marriage. It is important that we make that distinction, as we do not want to stigmatise any community. The important distinction between an arranged marriage and a forced marriage is that an arranged marriage takes place with the full consent of both parties. It often involves parents suggesting partners for their sons or daughters. If the girl or boy concerned is unhappy with the suggestion, the two parties do not take things further. The faces of those who do not know the difference between forced and arranged marriages are a picture when I tell them that my marriage was arranged.
A forced marriage is one in which one or both parties do not consent to being married. Often they are physically or emotionally abused to make them take part and stay in the marriage; needless to say, the union is not a happy one. Forced marriages take many forms, but one thing is clear—they are all vile and must be tackled.
Unfortunately, forced marriages are often portrayed as a religious practice, but that could not be further from the truth. Forced marriages are a cultural practice, not a religious one. In Islam, the religion that is often wrongly associated with forced marriages, they are completely condemned. In addition, victims of forced marriages do not come from only one community. I have met people of different cultures and races who have been victims of forced marriages.
Although we condemn forced marriages whole-heartedly, it is important to stress that reported cases are few in number. Last year, statistics from the UK Government's forced marriage unit showed that 400 cases had been reported. No doubt the real figure is higher, with perhaps hundreds of cases a year going unreported. Although they might not be rife in Scotland, it is important to put across the message that one forced marriage is one too many. That is why I have been campaigning on the issue both in the Parliament and outwith it.
Having met a number of women's aid organisations, religious institutions and community groups, it is clear to me that a failure to act on the issue is not an option. If we go down the route of making participation in a forced marriage a criminal offence, we might prevent people from coming forward to report it. Many of those people would not want their mother, father or other close relatives to face possible time in jail if they had been involved in forcing a marriage.
Last year, the provisions of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 were enshrined in law in England and Wales, and the act took effect just last week. The authorities in England and Wales can now issue a forced marriage protection order to prevent a forced marriage from taking place. We in Scotland must follow suit. Civil legislation on the matter will be a positive step forward in tackling the problem. However, consultation is necessary because many different opinions from experts must be taken into account.
In my discussions on the matter with the Scottish Government, I have been pleased to note its willingness to address the problem. I hope that the Parliament will whole-heartedly support the Government's motion and work collectively to prevent anyone else from becoming a victim of this evil practice.
A forced marriage is one in which one or both parties do not consent to being married. Often they are physically or emotionally abused to make them take part and stay in the marriage; needless to say, the union is not a happy one. Forced marriages take many forms, but one thing is clear—they are all vile and must be tackled.
Unfortunately, forced marriages are often portrayed as a religious practice, but that could not be further from the truth. Forced marriages are a cultural practice, not a religious one. In Islam, the religion that is often wrongly associated with forced marriages, they are completely condemned. In addition, victims of forced marriages do not come from only one community. I have met people of different cultures and races who have been victims of forced marriages.
Although we condemn forced marriages whole-heartedly, it is important to stress that reported cases are few in number. Last year, statistics from the UK Government's forced marriage unit showed that 400 cases had been reported. No doubt the real figure is higher, with perhaps hundreds of cases a year going unreported. Although they might not be rife in Scotland, it is important to put across the message that one forced marriage is one too many. That is why I have been campaigning on the issue both in the Parliament and outwith it.
Having met a number of women's aid organisations, religious institutions and community groups, it is clear to me that a failure to act on the issue is not an option. If we go down the route of making participation in a forced marriage a criminal offence, we might prevent people from coming forward to report it. Many of those people would not want their mother, father or other close relatives to face possible time in jail if they had been involved in forcing a marriage.
Last year, the provisions of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 were enshrined in law in England and Wales, and the act took effect just last week. The authorities in England and Wales can now issue a forced marriage protection order to prevent a forced marriage from taking place. We in Scotland must follow suit. Civil legislation on the matter will be a positive step forward in tackling the problem. However, consultation is necessary because many different opinions from experts must be taken into account.
In my discussions on the matter with the Scottish Government, I have been pleased to note its willingness to address the problem. I hope that the Parliament will whole-heartedly support the Government's motion and work collectively to prevent anyone else from becoming a victim of this evil practice.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-3011, in the name of Stewart Maxwell, on forced marriages.
The Minister for Communities and Sport (Stewart Maxwell):
SNP
In debating the issues that affect our country, it is not often that we approach a subject with consensus in the chamber. I thank all the parties and their s...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
Presiding Officer, please use your power to take some time away from my summing-up speech if that will help you to juggle times later on and means that you w...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
Does the member acknowledge that 38 per cent of the victims in forced marriages are male?
Johann Lamont:
Lab
I absolutely accept that forced marriage is an issue that is not simply for women—although, because of defined roles in communities, it affects more women th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
I remind members to ensure that their mobile phones and BlackBerrys are switched off.
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I apologise to Johann Lamont. The figure of 38 per cent that I cited for male victims was incorrect—the true figure is 15 per cent, which is still highly sig...
Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate and to put forward the Liberal Democrats' thoughts on forced marriage. We welcome the opportunity th...
Stewart Maxwell:
SNP
Does Hugh O'Donnell remember that?
Hugh O'Donnell:
LD
No, I do not.Huge cultural pressure can be placed on young people. Prior to being elected to the Parliament, I had first-hand experience of that, as I have h...
Bashir Ahmad (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
I welcome today's debate on an extremely serious and important issue. The term "forced marriages" is used a lot by the media, politicians and community organ...
Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab):
Lab
As we know, there is no offence of forced marriage in Scotland. Civil and criminal law in Scotland offers some protection to victims who are forced to marry ...
John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con):
Con
Although forced marriage is thankfully very rare in Britain and in Scotland, it can have a devastating effect on its victims. I therefore welcome the debate,...
Stewart Maxwell:
SNP
I acknowledge what the member says; he is quite correct in what he says about the law as it stands. However, does he accept that what he has just explained c...
John Lamont:
Con
I agree with the minister entirely. I have set out what Scots law currently allows for. We are trying to prevent forced marriages, rather than deal with them...
Hugh O’Donnell:
LD
Will the member confirm that David Cameron initially proposed criminalising—in a non-civil way—forced marriage when the UK bill was introduced in 2006?
John Lamont:
Con
I am not aware of that proposal. My understanding is that we as a party supported the bill when it went through the Westminster Parliament. The Scottish Cons...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
At this stage in the debate, it is inevitable that much has already been said. I might occasionally tread where others have been and repeat what they have sa...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
As far as I understand it, one of the big differences is that, in other parts of the United Kingdom, a third party can apply for an order. That is particular...
Christine Grahame:
SNP
That is a very fair point, which I hope will be developed by the minister. Johann Lamont might have caught me on that point, but that is fine—it is what a de...
Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab):
Lab
We have heard some details about what forced marriages are, and we recognise the differences between a forced, or coerced, marriage and an arranged marriage ...
Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab):
Lab
I appreciate the opportunity to speak.On 25 November, new laws came into force in the rest of the UK to prevent forced marriages and to protect those who hav...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
This has been an important debate about a sensitive issue. Bashir Ahmad was right to say that one forced marriage is one too many.I thank all those who have ...
Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con):
Con
The Conservative group will support the Government motion at decision time.There is contradictory evidence, as we have heard in the debate, about the number ...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
It is a reflection on how far we have come that there is consensus that this matter is serious and appropriate for public debate and political action. We hav...
The Minister for Community Safety (Fergus Ewing):
SNP
I welcome this afternoon's wide-ranging debate, and the cross-party support and commitment to eradicating forced marriage and other forms of honour-based vio...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
Does the minister agree that there is a difference between giving people certainty that something will happen, and expecting people to make it happen? There ...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
There is a difference between the two prospects, but I certainly do not accept that the issue has been in any way deprioritised, nor do I accept that any cou...