Germany moves to outlaw forced marriage

THE German government today agreed on new draft laws against forced marriages and tough measures against immigrants who fail to integrate into society.

The new laws come amid  a fierce debate about immigration in the country and concerns about multiculturalism.

Forcing someone into marriage will now be considered a criminal act in itself, punishable by up to five years in prison, under the legislation drawn up by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government.
Previously, forced marriage had been considered under the law as a particularly severe form of coercion.  The new legislation also aims to make it easier for women taken abroad for a forced marriage to return to Germany.  “Forced marriage is a problem in Germany that should be taken seriously and which is increasingly in the public eye,” said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere in a statement.

The cabinet will also seek to enforce action against immigrants in Germany who do not follow so-called “integration courses” to help them adapt to life in the country. Mr de Maiziere estimates this affects around 10 to 15 per cent of immigrants in Germany.  Authorities will be obliged to check whether immigrants have followed such a course before considering an application to extend their stay in Germany.

Refusal to follow courses could result in applications being rejected. The move came amid a ferocious debate in Germany about immigration and the country’s multicultural society.  The debate was fuelled by Thilo Sarrazin, a central banker who said Germany was being made “more stupid” by immigrants, and then further inflamed by Ms Merkel who judged multiculturalism had totally failed.

The popularity of a book by Sarrazin and a recent study showing strong anti-foreigner sentiment have raised fears about a right-wing populist attracting significant support, although no such figure has yet emerged.  There are also concerns that a lack of integration of Germany’s four million Muslims was helping create homegrown Islamic extremists.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply