An MP has spoken towards calls to ban first cousin marriage within the UK, suggesting as a substitute that superior genetic screening is made accessible to potential married {couples}.
Unbiased MP Iqbal Mohamed mentioned whereas “freedom of women must be protected at all times”, he didn’t imagine outlawing the apply can be “effective or enforceable”.
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He argued that reasonably than “stigmatising” cousin marriages, a “much more positive approach” ought to be adopted to answer well being considerations linked to the kids of these relationships.
The MP for Dewsbury and Batley advised measures may embrace adopting comparable screening efforts to these undertaken in Arab nations within the Persian Gulf.
Mr Mohamed was responding to Conservative former minister Richard Holden, who has launched his Marriage (Prohibited Levels of Relationship) Invoice for additional consideration within the Commons.
The present regulation prohibits marriage to a sibling, father or mother or youngster, however not marriages between first cousins.
Mr Mohamed informed the Commons: “There are documented health risks with first-cousin marriage and I agree this is an issue that needs greater awareness.”
He spoke of the necessity to forestall so-called “virginity testing” and compelled marriages, and likewise to guard the liberty of girls.
He informed MPs: “However, the way to redress this is not to empower the state to ban adults from marrying each other, not least because I don’t think it would be effective or enforceable.
“As a substitute the matter must be approached as a well being consciousness situation, a cultural situation the place girls are being pressured towards their will to bear marriage.”
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Richard Holden is campaigning to ban first cousin marriages
First cousin marriage ‘seen as one thing constructive’
Mr Mohamed mentioned an estimated 35% to 50% of all sub-Saharan African populations “prefer or accept” cousin marriages, and it’s “extremely common” within the Center East and south Asia.
He mentioned it’s in style as a result of it’s seen as “something that is very positive, something that helps build family bonds and helps put families on a more secure financial foothold”.
He added: “Instead of stigmatising those in cousin marriages or those inclined to be, a much more positive approach would be to facilitate advanced genetic test screening for prospective married couples, as is the case in all Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, and more generally to run health education programmes targeting those communities where the practice is most common.”
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Former Tory chairman Mr Holden launched his proposals utilizing the 10-minute rule course of, which permits a backbench MP to make the case for a brand new invoice in a speech of as much as 10 minutes within the Home of Commons.
Nevertheless, these payments not often develop into regulation until they’ve authorities assist, due to the restricted parliamentary time given to them.
Downing Avenue mentioned the skilled recommendation on the dangers of first-cousin marriage was clear however indicated that there have been no plans to vary the regulation.
“In terms of legislation, the government has set out its priorities,” a Quantity 10 spokesman mentioned.
Mr Holden argues {that a} change within the regulation is required as sure diaspora communities have “extremely high rates of first cousin marriage”, together with Irish Travellers and the British Pakistani neighborhood.
He mentioned such marriages have been linked to a better charge of delivery defects and also can “reinforce negative structures and control women”.
He mentioned “health, freedom and national values” are the explanation why he moved the invoice.
