TWO Scottish actors donned Muslim wedding outfits to raise awareness of Scotland's new laws to protect people affected by forced marriage.
Atta Yaqub, star of Ken Loach's Ae Fond Kiss, and his on-screen sister, Shabana Bakhsh, yesterday gave their support to a six-week awareness campaign starting today.
The campaign aims to encourage use and understanding of recently-introduced legislation that gives greater protection to victims of forced marriage in Scotland.
Yaqub wore a traditional wedding outfit and Bakhsh wore a wedding dress created for the occasion, decorated with supportive messages from men and women with experiences of forced marriage.
Yaqub said: "Forced marriage is very much a cultural issue and is not condoned by religion. It is also very different to arranged marriage where both partners agree to the union.
"It's hard to believe there are men and women in Scotland who are suffering emotional distress or physical abuse in a marriage that they didn't agree to. Everyone has the right to choose their own partner in this world and this new legislation supports that human right."
Bakhsh added: "According to religion it's wrong, according to basic human rights it's wrong, so why is it that we are forcing our children into marriage and taking their freedom and a 'normal' life away from them?
She added: "Stay strong and say no to forced marriage – make the right choice for yourself."
Scottish courts now have the power to issue Forced Marriage Protection Orders, which offer increased protection for both men and women who are affected by forced marriage.
The legislation, introduced into Scots law in November 2011, is the first in the UK to make it a criminal offence to break such an order, leading to a two-year prison sentence, a fine, or both.
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