A couple has been given suspended prison sentences after being found guilty of taking their two underage sons to Pakistan to be married. The parents were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court following a prosecution that underscores the UK's commitment to tackling child and forced marriage, even when these acts occur outside British borders.
The court heard that the two sons, aged 16 and 17 at the time, were taken by their parents to Pakistan for the purposes of marriage. Such actions are illegal under UK law, which sets the minimum age for marriage at 18. The case represents a significant development in the UK's legal framework against forced marriage, being the first successful prosecution of its kind since the introduction of specific legislation in 2014.
The parents had also breached a Forced Marriage Protection Order (FMPO), which had been put in place to safeguard the children. FMPOs are civil orders designed to protect individuals from forced marriage and can be applied for by those at risk or by third parties, such as local authorities. Breaching such an order carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
This prosecution serves as a stark reminder that UK law on forced marriage extends its reach to acts committed abroad by British citizens or residents. The Government has consistently stated its zero-tolerance approach to forced marriage, defining it as any marriage where one or both parties do not consent and duress is involved. This includes physical pressure, emotional blackmail, and threats.
Responding to the verdict, campaigners against forced marriage welcomed the outcome, emphasising the importance of these legal tools in protecting vulnerable individuals. They highlighted that child marriage robs young people of their education, health, and future prospects, and that robust enforcement is crucial to deterring such practices within communities in the UK and internationally.
The case demonstrates the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies and the Crown Prosecution Service to collaborate in bringing perpetrators of forced marriage to justice. It also reinforces the message that cultural practices cannot supersede the fundamental rights of children and young people to choose their own life path free from coercion.
Source: Manchester Crown Court