The Family Court has continued forced marriage protection orders (FMPO) and passport retention orders for two children, aged 15 and 17, who are in danger of being forced to travel to Bangladesh. 

Case Background 

The children, British citizens, had lived in England with their parents and two older brothers before moving to Bangladesh in 2015 and returning to the UK in 2019. In 2020, the father bought one-way flights to Bangladesh for himself and the younger children. However, due to information received, police and social services seized the children’s passports, and the court issued FMPOs. 

Legal Proceedings 

The court heard evidence from police officers and social workers, both in closed and open hearings. The father claimed the children were free to marry partners of their choice and that the one-way flights were to visit their dying grandfather. However, the court found the father’s account not credible and maintained the risk of forced marriage. 

Court Decision 

The court concluded that the continuation of the FMPOs was necessary to protect both children until they turned 21. The father’s arguments were deemed untrustworthy, and the risk of forced marriage was considered high, especially for the 17-year-old.