Forced marriages still are a reality in several European countries. For that reason, the City of Rotterdam and the Platform Islamic Organisations Rijnmond (SPIOR) are launching the European Campaign against forced marriages on May 14. The European campaign is a follow up of SPIOR's successful project ‘Joining Hands against Forced Marriages'. The campaign is a joint project of the City of Rotterdam and SPIOR, in co-operation with professor Tariq Ramadan.

During the launch on Wednesday 14 May, alderwoman Jantine Kriens (responsible for public health, welfare and provision of emergency accommodation), alderman Orhan Kaya (responsible for participation and culture), SPIOR and professor Tariq Ramadan explain the campaign's goals. Representatives from different European cities will be present at the launch. In the weeks following the launch in Rotterdam, the campaign will also be launched in other cities, among which Brussels, Paris, Madrid, London, Berlin and Bologna.

Project ‘Joining Hands against Forced Marriages'

The project ‘Joining Hands against Forced Marriages', a local initiative of SPIOR, is aimed primarily at the Muslim community. Although Islam forbids forced marriages, they still occur among Muslims. The fact that forced marriages are not allowed in Islam, is an eye-opening message for many people. This realisation is a first step for a change in mind-set and behaviour. The booklet published by SPIOR about forced marriages has been translated for the purpose of the European campaign into English, German, French, Italian and Spanish and will be distributed in six European countries. The booklet contains information on the anthropological background of forced marriages, the Islamic viewpoint, the relation with honour based violence and the experiences in Rotterdam with tackling this issue.

European tour

The campaign is launched in co-operation with professor Tariq Ramadan, visiting professor for the chair on ‘Citizenship and Identity' at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Professor Ramadan supports the municipality in stimulating urban citizenship and is expressly engaged in promoting full participation of Muslims in European societies. In doing so, he poses critical questions to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He will support SPIOR during the European campaign.

Local initiatives in a European perspective

The City of Rotterdam supports the project ‘Joining Hands against Forced Marriages' because the municipality is of the opinion that initiatives from local communities are the key to success in tackling problems. The impact of such local initiatives is increased when followed up by communities in other European cities, supported in their turn by local government.

Program 14 May 2008

Location: Schielandshuis, Korte Hoogstraat 31, 3011 GK Rotterdam

12:00 Welcome by alderwoman Jantine Kriens, alderman Orhan Kaya and Ibrahim

Spalburg, director SPIOR

12:15 Lunch, and press conference

13:00 Presentation project ‘Joining Hands against Forced Marriages' by Marianne Vorthoren, policy officer SPIOR

13:30 Introduction professor Tariq Ramadan

13:45 Presentation booklet ‘Joining Hands against Forced Marriages'

14:00 Interlude

14:30 Panel discussion and exchange with participants

16:30 Closing

17:00 Drinks in ‘De Pappegay' (Schielandshuis) and dinner

Note for the editor/not for publication:

You are invited to be present at the launch.

For more information and for registration please contact: Ineke Barendregt, spokeswoman alderman Kaya: 0031-(0)6-51074761 or Marianne Vorthoren, SPIOR: 0031-(0)10-466 6989 or 0031-(0)6-48630900.