UK Diplomats rescue British teenager from forced marriage

24 Jul 2008 |

‘The Times’ reports that a British teenager has been rescued from a forced marriage in Bangladesh by diplomats. The article mentions that under new measures to be implemented by the end of the year, teenage foreign brides and bridgrooms will be barred from entering Britain on marriage visas. The minimum age at which British citizens can sponsor a foreigner to enter the country as a spouse is to rise from 18 to 21, as is the minimum age at which a bride or groom can themselves enter on a marriage visa. Figures show that 5’140 people under 21 entered the country as a spouse or fiance(e) in 2005, including 35 aged 16 and 60 aged 17.

Source : Times Online