Abduction for Forced Marriage: Rights and Remedies in Bangladesh and Pakistan

This article discusses the practice of forcing girls and young women with dual UK-Bangladesh or UK-Pakistan citizenship into marriages in their home countries. The authors argue that this practice violates the human rights of these girls, for example, the right to decide when and whom to marry, the right to personal liberty and security, and the right to freedom from arbitrary detention. Forced marriage is likened to trafficking in women and girls for the purposes of slavery. The authors argue that, under international human rights instruments, states are responsible to act to prevent, investigate and punish cases of forced marriage. The authors also outline the available remedies in Bangladesh and Pakistan after abduction has taken place, particularly judicial and diplomatic protection, including habeas corpus petitions, criminal law, family law and consular assistance. [Descriptors: Marriage, International - Asia]