The Hindu : International : Irish ban on polygamy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 22, 2004

International

International

Irish ban on polygamy

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON: The Irish Government has decided to slam the door on Muslims who have more than one wife or believe in polygamy. Under a new rule, Muslims seeking Irish citizenship will have to declare that they have only one spouse and have "no intention of entering into a simultaneous marriage.'' A Muslim wanting to marry an Irish woman will also be required to give a similar undertaking. The Government has ordered that all men from Muslim countries must sign a sworn affidavit rejecting polygamy. The rule is consistent with the Irish law which does not recognise polygamy but civil rights activists called it `despicable.' It comes amid tightening of citizenship laws. In a referendum barely a week ago, the Government won overwhelming support to overturn a law which allowed foreigners to claim automatic citizenship if any one of their children was born in Ireland. Anti-racist groups have accused the Government of pandering to xenophobia.

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