The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE British government, according to a recent report from London, is to increase the age at which foreigners can apply for a marriage visa to crack down on forced marriages in Britain. The age of sponsorship will be upped from the current 18 to 21, the Home Office said, outlining proposals aimed at strengthening what the British government considers 'the safeguards' against the practice. According to the government, the 'Forced Marriage Unit' dealt with 69 cases of overseas forced marriage in 2007 involving young people aged 18 to 21 - about 30 per cent of its workload.

The British Home Secretary said recently that forced marriage led to victims suffering years of physical and mental abuse and - in extreme cases - 'unlawful imprisonment and rape'. He asserted that his government is 'determined' to do everything it can to stamp it out and ensure that victims receive the help and support they need. Other measures announced a few months ago include asking foreign spouses to agree to learn English before going to Britain and a new power to revoke leave to remain if the marriage is found to be forced.

British citizens have the right to marry whomever they choose. But the government wants that the newcomers to succeed in the society and sign up to the standards that are in common meaning 'freedom', not beingforced to marry someone, and it means newcomers quickly acquiring a command over English, with consequences for those who break the rules as stated by Britain's immigration secretary. A national help-line for forced marriage and 'honour' crime victims was launched in Britain in April last. Run by a charity but backed by the government, it is concerned about the scale of the problem among people of South Asian origin.