Human rights views

A marriage shall be violable if "either party to the marriage did not validly consent to it, whether in consequence of duress, mistake, unsoundness of mind or otherwise."

Matrimonial Causes 1973, Section 12, (c)

Forced marriage is a violation of internationally recognised human rights standards. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16(2)

State parties shall ensure on a basis of equality men and women…the same right freely to choose a spouse to enter into marriage only with their free and full consent.

Convention to Elimination all forms of Discrimination against Women, Article 16 )1), (b)

A woman's right to choose a spouse and enter freely into marriage is central to her life and dignity, and equality as a human being.

General Recommendation No 21, UN Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women