Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Forced marriage: UK mother found guilty of making girl wed older relative

A UK mother who tricked her daughter into marrying a man while on a holiday to Pakistan has become the first woman in Britain to be convicted of forced marriage.

The girl was 13 when she was forced to marry a man 16 years older than her. The girl, whose identity has not been revealed, is now in her late teens. She reportedly wept throughout the ceremony.


A Birmingham court found the woman guilty of two charges of forced marriage and one of perjury. This was the first time a conviction has been secured after a victim testified against her own family. Forced marriage became an offence in the UK in 2014.

The woman, 45, forced the girl to marry her husband’s nephew, who got her pregnant in 2012 when she was taken to Pakistan to meet her mother’s new husband. The girl’s pregnancy was confirmed by a doctor in Birmingham and children’s services had even launched an investigation. But their inquiries ended soon afterwards as the mother “made all the right noises to children’s services and created the impression that this was two teenagers who had sneakily had sex without her knowledge.”

The girl, before turning 18, was once again tricked into travelling to Pakistan under the pretence of a family holiday and once there she was forced to sign marriage papers.

"I didn't want to get married to him," the girl said while giving evidence during the trial.

The girl's mother threatened to burn her passport when she protested against the marriage.

Prominent Pakistani activist Bina Shah told CNN that forced marriage was culturally embedded in Pakistan. "It is a major problem in Pakistan. We have the problem of child marriage but also coerced marriages, which given that most marriages in Pakistan are arranged, is widespread," she said, adding that alliances between relations are made to keep property within the family. "People are looking for other advantages, for example, to marry someone with a foreign passport," she told CNN.

More For You

Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

Wes Streeting addresses the Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28),joined by Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Vikram Doraiswami

Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

WES STREETING spoke of the priority prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government attach to relations with India when he addressed a Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28).

But the secretary of state for health and social care won over the large Indian crowd by paying an unexpected tribute to Rishi Sunak.

Keep ReadingShow less