UK changes visa rules to stop forced marriages

Columbus News.Net
Thursday 24th July, 2008

The British Government will impose visa curbs on foreign brides and bridegrooms to prevent forced marriages in the country.

The measures introduced on Wednesday will hit 17,000 spouses and fiancés, especially from India and Pakistan.

According to a report in The Times, teenage foreign brides and bridegrooms will have to be at least 21 years of age to enter the country as a spouse.

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, was quoted by the paper as saying that: "Forced marriage leads to victims suffering years of physical and mental abuse and in extreme cases unlawful imprisonment and rape. It has no place in our society."

This ruling will be implemented by the end of the year.

A total of 47,000 people entered Britain in 2006 as a spouse or fiancé, more than double the number a decade earlier.

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