A heated debate has erupted in the British Parliament on the proposed bill to ban marriages between cousins. The bill, introduced by Conservative MP Richard Holden, aims to ban cousin marriages due to the increased risk of birth defects in children.
Holden argued that some migrant communities, such as Irish Travelers and British Pakistanis, have high rates of marriage between first cousins, with 20–40% of marriages being between first cousins.
“This is a worrying trend, as the rate has increased significantly compared to their grandparents’ age group. Although there have been some reports of a decline in the rate within the last decade as young people are pushing back against the system, The link remains exceptionally strong,” he said.
He cited research from the Oxford Journal of Law and Religion, which said cousin marriage is practiced by about 10% of the world’s population and is most prevalent in the Middle East, West Asia and North Africa.
However, not everyone is in favor of this bill.
Indian-origin independent MP Iqbal Mohammed expressed concern that the bill would stigmatize communities that marry cousins. Instead, he suggested that the issue should be treated as a public health awareness matter, with a focus on educating communities about the health risks associated with cousin marriage.
Mohammed, whose roots are in Gujarat, said, “An estimated 35 percent to 50 percent of all sub-Saharan African populations either prefer or accept cousin marriage, and it is extremely common in the Middle East and South Asia. Is.”
Mohammed said, “The reason this practice is so common is because the common people view family intermarriage as something that is overall very positive; something that helps build family bonds and makes families more placed on a secure financial footing.”
“However, as is well documented, it is not without health risks for the children of those relationships, some of whom will be born out of wedlock,” he said.
Mohammed argued that a more positive approach would be to facilitate advanced genetic testing screening for prospective married couples and run health education programs targeting communities where this practice is most common.
The bill is expected to receive a second reading in the Commons by mid-January 2025. However, its chances of becoming law are uncertain, as such backbench motions often require government support to pass.
