Forced marriages: Moroccan minors protected by police in Spain

The data communicated by the Mossos d’Esquadra indicates that these illegal practices persist within certain foreign communities. Pakistan (18 cases) and Gambia (8 cases) are the most represented countries, followed by Morocco with seven attempts of forced unions identified by the law enforcement.

The Popular Party (PP) has used these figures to criticize the migration policy of the regional government. The opposition believes that these customs go against the rights of women. In Spain, forced marriage is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment.

To detect these situations, the police mainly collaborate with schools. It is often the teachers who report the risks, as the victims rarely denounce their own family.

The authorities also monitor cases of female genital mutilation. If these interventions are not carried out in Catalonia, the risk increases during trips to the countries of origin. More than 140 cases involving minors have been recorded over the past decade.