The anti-dhimmitude was only for show. “Plans to outlaw forced marriages shelved,” from the Daily Mail, with thanks to Sandi:
Plans to make forced marriage a specific criminal offence have been dropped by ministers in the face of a backlash from Britain’s Muslim community.
The Government unveiled its proposals two years ago amid great fanfare, suggesting that anyone arranging or encouraging a forced marriage – which is thought to blight the lives of thousands of young women from Britain’s Asian community each year – should face jail sentences.
But yesterday the Home Office admitted it would not be pursuing the plans, and would instead encourage the police and courts to make use of existing laws.
The Muslim Council of Britain opposed the plan, claiming it would see children having to give evidence at their parents’ trials, and could lead to the Muslim community being further ‘stigmatised.’
Ministers have admitted they feared a new law would be ‘resented as an intrusion into minority cultures and religions.’
But yesterday charities and campaigners voiced bitter disappointment over the U-turn, while critics accused the Government of grabbing headlines over the issue but failing to take real action.
Thousands of young – mostly Muslim – women are thought to be subjected to forced marriages each year, although the true scale of the problem is hidden behind a code of silence….
Extreme cases have led to ‘honour killings’ where young women have been murdered for bringing shame on their families….
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: ‘The Government seems to be ignoring the views of the victims of this abhorrent practice. We remain to be convinced that ministers will use their existing powers to stamp out this degrading and vile practice.’
He said the Government’s eagerness to launch a campaign even though the new law was later shelved suggested ministers were ‘more interested in grabbing headlines than delivering results.’
Yes.