Sweden and Denmark are both moving forward with plans to ban cousin marriages, amid fears the practice contributes to domestic violence and ‘oppression’.
On Wednesday, officials in Stockholm recommended banning marriage between cousins after an investigation into the practice.
The research shows that there is a specific risk that girls and women in these marriages face ‘honour-related oppression’.
A day later, Danish government leaders followed similar steps, declaring that they would eventually ban marriages between cousins.
Both countries are following in the footsteps of their Scandinavian neighbor Norway, which this summer introduced a ban on marriages between close relatives, including between cousins, uncles or aunts, and nieces or nephews.
In the midst of these decisions there are some, such as Sunday Times columnist Matthew Syed – believe a similar law should be introduced in Britain to ‘stimulate growth and reduce bloodshed’.
Although unusual in most communities in Britain, cousins are legally allowed to marry (file image)
After the investigation, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer argued that marrying cousins often led to a restriction of individual freedom.
He said: ‘The background is that honour-related violence and oppression are a major social problem. Far too many people have their living space and fundamental freedoms limited by oppressive honor standards. Some of this concerns marriages between cousins.’
Anne Kuttenkeuler, vice president of the Svea Court of Appeal, shared this perspective, adding: ‘The material collected suggests that marriages between cousins are often arranged and that the decision about marriage rests primarily with a family or clan and not really an individual choice.’
Swedish figures show that around 140 to 150 people had unions with their cousins, but a judge suggested these figures were unreliable and the actual number may be higher.
“These are not reliable figures,” the judge said. ‘From the contacts we have had with organizations that provide support and assistance to women who are subject to honor oppression, it appears that this is quite common.’
After hearing these findings, the Swedish government has proposed a ban starting from July 2026.
The next day, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her government also wanted to eventually ban marriages between cousins.
In a conversation with Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen – the leaders of the three coalition parties – Ms Frederiksen stated that a law against cousin marriages will take some time to prepare.
‘This needs to be carefully considered. “We know that marriages vary and have done so for generations, even in our own country,” she said.
‘We now face new challenges in our country. Some people come from outside and use marriages to oppress.”
There are no official figures on the number of cousin marriages in Denmark.
After the investigation, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (left) argued that marrying cousins often led to a restriction of individual freedom. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (right) also wants to ban the use
On Wednesday, officials in Stockholm (pictured) recommended banning marriage between cousins after an investigation into the practice
According to Anita Johnson, director of NGO RED Center, which runs shelters for victims of violence and honour-related conflicts, the number is said to be low.
But Ms Johnson said she supported a ban because it could help protect women from oppression and honour-related violence.
“I feel like mixed families are making a comeback in Denmark,” she said.
Although this is unusual in most communities in Britain, cousins are legally allowed to marry.
According to academic research published in 2023, between 38 and 59 percent of British Pakistanis will marry their first cousin. Separate research from an Oxford University academic suggests this figure could even rise.
Writing in the Sunday Times, Mr Syed encouraged Britain to also ban the practice: ‘The UK should follow Scandinavia and ban cross-cousin marriage, but perhaps the strongest move would be to encourage developing countries to do the same.
‘This will not be easy, given the vested interests of the patriarchs, but it would unleash prosperity that no amount of aid (often embezzled in tribal societies) could match. I believe it is the game changer that a large part of our world – still divided by kin, clans and tribes – so desperately needs.”