Sharia Law: Marriages

Debate between Lord Keen of Elie and Lord Singh of Wimbledon

Thursday 4th July 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

My Lords, divorce in England and Wales is determined by the national law. It is not determined by religious observance or religious laws. Therefore, it will be necessary for a party seeking a divorce from a lawful marriage made in England and Wales to proceed under our national law. We appreciate that there are social difficulties regarding some religious groups in circumstances where a person might believe that they have been divorced under religious provisions, whether of the type the noble Lord just referred to, under sharia law, or indeed sometimes regarding the get in the context of the Jewish religion.

[Lord Singh of Wimbledon (CB)]

Does the Minister agree that culture should never trump human rights and that all citizens of this country should enjoy equal protection under the law?

[Lord Keen of Elie]

It is essential that all citizens have equal protection under the law. It is also important that they are treated equally under the law.