LONDON: The UK Parliament Tuesday started a debate on a new proposal to ban marriages between first cousins, with Conservative MP Richard Holden leading the charge.
Introducing the proposals in Parliament, Holden said that first-cousin marriages significantly increased the risk of genetic disorders.
Despite, Holden introducing proposals in the Parliament such bills are unlikely to become law without the support of the government.
The MP for Basildon and Billericay referring to a research study, said the child of first cousins carries around double the risk of inheriting a serious disorder compared to the child or unrelated people.
Holden also argued the practice threatened women’s freedom.
“Women and girls living under a clan mentality often know the scientific risks of first-cousin marriage, but make considered social and cultural calculations,” he told MPs.
Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed said such a ban would be ineffective adding that these matters would be addressed through education programmes to create awareness of the risks among the public. He said before the first-cousin marriage ban forced marriages should be stopped.
The British government last month said it wanted to take time to consider the marriage law properly before initiating a public debate on the issue. Despite growing awareness of the issue, marriages between first cousins remain legal.
Genetic Disorders
Experts say that cousin marriages globally are linked to genetic disorders and can cause conditions such as thalassemia, epilepsy, hearing and speech impairments, infertility, preterm delivery, and bipolar disorder.
Holden stated that while the overall prevalence of first-cousin marriage was low in Western nations, certain diaspora communities, such as Irish travellers and British Pakistanis, had “extremely high rates” of 20-40%.
Holden has previously campaigned for other social reforms, such as banning hymenoplasty, and sees this proposed law as part of broader efforts to address issues of control and social inequality.
The discussion on first-cousin marriages is already taking place in other nations, and Holden believes it is time for the UK to take action as well.
The Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill would require amendments to both the Marriage Act of 1949 and the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
