PROTECTING CHILDREN - A SHARED RESPONSIBIITY
Appendix 7: 'Forced Marriages Abroad - Your Right To Choose' Guidance issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Are you worried about being forced into a marriage abroad? A marriage should be entered into with the free and full consent of both parties.
A small number of young people find themselves being forced into marriage by their families when they go abroad.
You have the right to legal protection. If someone is forcing you into a marriage they may be in breach of the law in the UK and other countries. In order to protect yourself think carefully before you decide to go.
If you do go, before leaving you should:
- Contact the Community Liaison Unit at the FCO (Tel: 020 7008 0230 or E-mail: clu@fco.gov.uk ). Any information you give us will be treated confidentially.
- Fill in and detach the card at the end of the FCO leaflet 'Forced Marriages Abroad'. Keep it in a safe place and take it with you when you travel. (The leaflet can be obtained on request from the Community Liaison Unit.)
- It would be really helpful if you can leave the following details with the Unit:
- Your name as shown on your passport.
- Your passport number, date and place of issue.
- Your date of birth.
- A recent photograph of yourself.
- Your parents' names.
- Your address and telephone number in the UK.
- Address and telephone number in the country you are visiting.
- Names and addresses of other relatives you might be visiting abroad.
- The date you are expecting to return to the UK.
- Details of a trusted and reliable friend or relative in the UK.
Make sure you take with you:
When you are abroad:
If you fear you are going to be forced into a marriage contact the nearest British High Commission/Embassy who:
- Will try to help you get back to the UK.
- Can issue emergency passports.
- Will try to provide safe accommodation and transport in the country you are in.
What you will need to do:
- You/or a friend will need to provide money for your ticket home. We can, in exceptional circumstances, give you a loan to get back to the UK. You will need to repay this when you get back.
- You will need your passport details.
- You may need to get to the nearest British High Commission/Embassy.
If you cannot get to the High Commission/Embassy we will still try to do everything possible to help.
Dual Nationality.
Dual Nationality means being the national of more than one country. You may be a dual national if one of your parents holds the nationality of another country. This may limit what we can do.
But we aim to provide protection for all British passport holders habitually resident in the UK, regardless of whether or not they are dual nationals.
For further information and a leaflet please contact:
Community Liaison Unit,
G55 Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
Old Admiralty Building,
London
SW1A 2PA.
Tel: 020 7008 0230/0109
E-mail: clu@fco.gov.uk .