ASIA/PAKISTAN - Forced marriages: the most common crime against women

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – he most widespread crime against women in Pakistan is forced marriage, says a Report of the NGO coalition "Free and Fair Election Pakistan" (FAFEN), which counted the official complaints recorded in 77 district offices of the police in March 2012. Forced marriages have replaced rape at the top of the most common crimes against women. The Report, sent to Fides Agency, notes an overall increase in complaints that indicates greater awareness among the Pakistani women who suffer abuse. Out of the districts monitored, 27 are in the province of Punjab, 21 in Sindh, 19 in Khyber Pakhtunhwa, 9 in Beluchistan and one in the territory of the capital, Islamabad. The cases of forced marriages has risen from 314 to 653 and have grown significantly in the district of Lahore, capital of Punjab, where 222 complaints have been filed. 220 are cases of rape, while assault and harassment are 270, 37 cases of honor killings. Of the total number of criminal complaints (over 41 thousand) those involving crimes against women are 9% of the total. According to Fides Agency data, there are about 1,000 cases per year of girls belonging to religious minorities, Christian and Hindu, who are forced into Muslim marriage. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/6/2012)