Forced Marriages : In a Human Rights and Women's Rights Perspective, Exemplified through Norwegian and Pakistani Legislation

Abstract

Forced marriage is a crime that takes place in the private sphere. Traditionally states have been unwilling to interfere in such matters. One has also seen that states have been restrictive when it comes to interfering where religion (or practices that appear to be religious) and culture come into play. I will describe the ongoing debate concerning multiculturalism and try to suggest a couple of possible the measures that may be taken. My starting point is that culture should not serve as an excuse for upholding clearly damaging practices, and furthermore, in the case of forced marriage, that there is no religious support for the practice either. An obligation for the state to interfere is also established.