The Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations has expressed concerns at Government proposals to raise the minimum marriage age from 18 to 21 for visitors to the UK from outside the European Union.
The move is just one solution suggested in an upcoming Home Office consultation on the issue of forced marriages but the Orthodox Jewish communal group believes that a change in the law would damage the marriage rate withing the community.
The Union wrote in a letter to the Home Office, "We believe that the Government's motive for this proposed legislation is to oppose forced marriages. These do not exist and are frowned upon in Judaim.
"However, to legislate a minimum age of 21, is unacceptable and objectionable as the marriage age of around 18 is quite common in our Community."
A Home Office spokesperson told TJ: "We are looking at ways of addressing issues of forced marriage.
"It is important that we are clear that forced and arranged marriages aren't the same thing. We are welcoming suggestions in tackling forced marriage."
"However, to legislate a minimum age of 21, is unacceptable and objectionable as the marriage age of around 18 is quite common in our Community."
A Home Office spokesperson told TJ: "We are looking at ways of addressing issues of forced marriage.
"It is important that we are clear that forced and arranged marriages aren't the same thing. We are welcoming suggestions in tackling forced marriage."
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Posted By Chaptzem to Chaptzem Blog! at 4/26/2007 12:28:00 PM
