British court protects woman in alleged forced marriage

[Tiassa]

Source: BBC News
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7791653.stm
Title: "Court supports forced marriage GP"
Date: December 19, 2008

A British court has ruled in favor of a doctor who claims to have been forced into marriage by her parents. This is her second court victory in her effort to annul the marriage.

Dr Humayra Abedin, 33, from east London, was allegedly tricked by her parents, held captive for four months and made to marry a man in November.

The High Court has ruled that she cannot be removed again from the UK without her consent.

Dr Abedin is attempting to have the marriage annulled by the court.

Mr Justice Coleridge said: "I shall grant further orders to protect Dr Abedin and prevent her being removed from this country again without her consent" ....

.... In a statement issued after her return to London on Tuesday, Dr Abedin said: "On 14 November 2008, I was forced to marry a person of my parents' choice.

"I was removed to another province of Bangladesh. I entered into the marriage ceremony under duress. I did not consent to the marriage."

Dr Abedin returned to the UK as a result of a British court order made under the Forced Marriage Act.

The High Court in London issued the order while she was still in Bangladesh under new legislation which allows British courts to prevent someone from being forced into marriage.

(BBC News)

The tragic situation also underscores cultural differences between East and West. Last year, a Utah couple pleaded guilty to kidnapping their own daughter in order to prevent her from getting married to someone they didn't like.

Human beings on the same planet, yet worlds apart.

More to the point, I suppose: How, exactly, does a British court ruling have effect in Bangladesh? Or did some diplomat just say, "Our court made a ruling, would you please hand her over?" Really, it's all for the good, as far as I can see, but how, exactly, does that work?
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See Also:

Foy, Paul. "Parents plead guilty to interfering in daughter's wedding". SeattleTimes.com. November 28, 2007. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004040146_webparents28.html

 

[Baron Max]

A British court has ruled in favor of a doctor who claims to have been forced into marriage by her parents.

What other evidence, except the woman's testimony, does the court have to show "force"?

More to the point, I suppose: How, exactly, does a British court ruling have effect in Bangladesh?

It has no effect in Bangladesh, but if they ever return to England, then the British court has the power of enforcement.

Baron Max