Religion and the complex crisis of forced marriages in the UK

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Religion and the complex crisis of forced marriages in the UK

Our analyst Muhammad Faisal Khalil examines the role of religion in the crisis of forced marriages in the UK, not as a cause but a potential solution.

This weekly comment was written by Muhammad Faisal Khalil and reflects his personal analyses and opinions, rather than those of EARS.

The United Kingdom is grappling with an ongoing crisis of forced marriages, a profound violation of human rights leading to alarming cases of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Forced marriage, defined as a union where one or both parties cannot or do not give full and free consent,^[1] remains a critical issue. Despite legal initiatives like the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014, which criminalised these unions,^[2] the issue persists. The reported number of forced marriages is rising.

From April 2022 to March 2023, the reported cases to the Karma Nirvana helpline increased by 42%, indicating the widespread yet often concealed nature of this problem.^[3] Conversely, the UK government’s Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) saw a sharp decline in queries, from 1,507 in 2018 to a mere 337 in 2021^[4]. This significant decrease suggests substantial underreporting, and also underscores the urgency of addressing this complex crisis.

A matter of misinterpreted tradition, not religion

Forced marriage is a global problem affecting people of all religions.^[5] However, some religious groups are more likely to be impacted than others. In Europe, Muslim communities tend to be more affected by forced marriage than other religious groups.^[6] This is most likely due to the intersection of respected religious with cultural traditions involving arranged marriages. This blurs the clear distinction necessary to safeguard against coercion and lack of consent. Instances where individuals agree to an arranged marriage but express non-consent to third parties, without communicating this to their families, contribute to this lack of clarity. This ambiguity has led to the prevalent misconception that forced marriages are tied to specific religious groups.

However, the reality is far more nuanced. The roots of this issue often lie in the misunderstanding of religious texts and traditional cultural practices. Importantly, forced marriages are not endorsed by any major faiths, underlining the need to address these cultural misconceptions and harmful practices rather than attributing the problem to religion itself.^[7] In this context, advocating for nuanced religious understanding and bridging faith and human rights becomes paramount.

Religion to combat forced marriages

Religious leaders and faith-based organisations exert significant influence in their communities, making them critical allies in combating forced marriages. They can play a vital role in preventing and responding to forced marriages.^[8] Their contributions can include raising awareness of forced marriage, challenging harmful norms and interpretations of religious texts, educating community members, promoting a model of marriage based on mutual consent and respect, and providing support to victims.

The development of prevention and response strategies can be significantly improved through a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between forced marriages and religion in Europe, including the UK. Currently, there is a demand for more comprehensive research on this topic.^[9] The existing research is limited, and a more thorough exploration of this relationship is essential for developing more effective prevention and response strategies. These insights will aid in the creation of comprehensive and effective strategies to combat forced marriages.

Aligning religion with human rights

The challenge, arguably, is not about juxtaposing religion against human rights, but aligning faith interpretations with a steadfast commitment to human rights. By addressing the religious myths surrounding forced marriage and promoting interpretations of marriage consistent with human rights, faith leaders and organisations can effect profound change. By adopting such an approach, the UK has the potential to significantly address the forced marriage crisis, thereby ensuring that every individual has the right to choose their life path without fear or coercion.

This weekly comment was written by Muhammad Faisal Khalil and reflects his personal analyses and opinions, rather than those of EARS.

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