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Freedom Charity

Freedom Charity was established to save the lives of vulnerable children who are at risk of, or are subjected to, Forced Marriage and ‘dis-honour’ based violence.

Most young people in the UK can rely on the safety and security offered within their home, family and community. They grow up aware that they can trust the people around them knowing that these same people have nothing but their best interests at heart.

From our perspective in the UK, traditions in other countries may seem rather different from our own.

When citizens from other countries settle in the UK, not all of their culture’s practices are transferrable. The practice of forced marriages and honour based violence is not acceptable in the UK and citizen’s rights are protected, especially those of children and young people, and appropriate measures are in place to ensure the safety and protection of our most vulnerable citizens.

It is these children that Freedom Charity will help.

What is Forced Marriage?

A forced marriage is a marriage conducted without the valid consent of both people, where pressure or abuse is used.

An arranged marriage is not the same as a forced marriage. In an arranged marriage, the families take a leading role in choosing the marriage partner, but the choice of whether to enter the marriage is left to both people.

A marriage must be entered into with the full and free consent of both people. Everyone involved should feel that they have a choice.

The pressure put on people to marry against their will can be physical or emotional.

In some cases people may be taken abroad without knowing that they are to be married. When they arrive in the country their passports may be taken by their family to try to stop them from returning home.

Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights.

If you are interested in making a donation to Freedom Charity, please click here for further information. Even a small amount can make a difference.

News

BRITISH COUPLE’S MURDER IN PAKISTAN DISHNONOUR KILLINGS CONDEMNDED BY FREEDOM CHARITY FOUNDER

Aneeta Prem, founder of Freedom Charity which she set up to tackle dishonour killings and forced marriages, said: "The cold blooded murder of two innocent British parents in Pakistan highlights once again the barbarism and depravity of this evil practice. No one has the right to take someone else's life over a marital dispute, nor to force someone into a marriage against their will.

“There is nothing that can justify such violent acts and the British and Pakistani governments must condemn this tragedy and work with religious leaders and communities in both countries to educate people away from this brutality.

"At a time when attacks on British Asians both here and abroad seem to be increasing, we need to take steps now to prevent people's lives being needlessly and senselessly destroyed. We are living in the 21st century but in some countries, cultures and communities, they are still living in the Dark Ages. It is time to stamp out these appalling practices and to ensure anyone carrying out killings or intimidation of innocent people is subject to the full severity of the law.

"Freedom Charity will be working hard to raise awareness of these wicked practices and shining a spotlight into the murky world of forced marriages and dishonour killings. We call upon leading politicians in the UK, Pakistan and elsewhere to support us in campaigning to change attitudes and behaviour and tighten up the law before another innocent life is lost."

Last month Freedom Charity linked up with Conservative MP Eleanor Laing who tabled a parliamentary Early Day Motion to raise awareness of the work of the charity. At the time, Eleanor Laing said: “By raising this issue now, I am hoping to draw attention to an issue which now affects thousands of British Asians every year, and gain support for action from my parliamentary colleagues of whatever political allegiance – this problem transcends party politics.”

British couple Gul Wazir, a taxi driver, and his wife Bagum were gunned down in the village of Salehana in the remote and dangerous Nowshera province after travelling there to try and settle the wedding dispute. Their son was also shot in the cold-blooded attack - but miraculously survived. He is now in a stable condition in a hospital in north western Pakistan.

Mr and Mrs Wazir, from Alum Rock, Birmingham are understood to have travelled to the village to settle a row over their daughter's marriage, according to a family friend.

The killings happened last Monday, but details only emerged at the weekend.

For further information and interviews, please contact Aneeta Prem on 07958 737491 or by email at contact@freedomcharity.org.uk.

Eleanor Laing, MP for Epping Forest, can be contacted via Tim Baynham , Office of Eleanor Laing MP , House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA . Mobile: 0790 0891238; Tel: 0207 219 2086.