THE recent report, A Choice by Right, by the Parliamentary working group on forced marriage, has been a subject of comment both in the mainstream media and Asian community.

The first thing to be noted is the report correctly makes a distinction between arranged and forced marriages.

Even now most Asian marriages are arranged, in the sense that the family of the bride and groom are involved in seeking a suitable partner for their offspring and take pride in being involved in the arrangements.

It is often, but not always, a bonding of two families through marriage of their children and is seen as a positive aspect of Asian culture, as both sets of parents are there to offer support if things go wrong or if help from the family is required.

The report clarifies that 'a forced marriage is a marriage conducted without the valid consent of both parties, where duress is a factor'. This violation of internationally recognised human rights standards is also a violation of major religions such as Islam. In Islam, marriage is a civil contract between the two parties and a forced marriage is a negation of Islamic teachings and values.

The report recognises that there are instances of children, born and brought up in Britain, being found suitors from the sub-continent without regard to compatibility. Most of the Asian community came to Britain in the 60s and have this innate sense of obligation to maintain their cultures, languages and traditions which have sometimes overwhelmed the ability of the Asian people to develop a natural family unit.

Moreover, the aspirations of the Asian parents for their children are sometimes marred by the need to protect them from harm and the down sides of the western influence. Dr Ghiasuddin Siddiqui, leader of the Muslim Parliament, speaking in the Asian-language programme Mehfil, on Wycombe's Radio elevenSEVENTY acknowledged that the issue of forced marriages was a hidden problem but was anti-Islamic.

The use of force or blackmail to get the agreement of a child was often undertaken in ignorance of the wishes of their own children and did not lead to a settled family life for the parties to such a marriage.

Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotherham, co-chairman of the working group, also spoke about the report in an interview with Mehfil. He said: 'Children learn their values, about right and wrong, respect, compassion, duty and love from their family and that religion plays a major part in this for many people.

'These core values are timeless and common to major world faiths. We were now negotiating new common values based on equality and respect between men and women and between people without regard to their race, religion or culture. And inherent to this is the recognition of the legal rights of children and young people.'

Inquiries about the working group on forced marriage (or copies of the report) should be made to the Race Equality Unit at the Home Office, tel: (020) 72733349