Sharia court 'protects wife-beating men by sabotaging criminal proceedings'

AN INFLUENTIAL Sharia court has been accused of “protecting wife-beating men" by interfering with criminal proceedings.

Muslim woman wearing burka in UKGETTY • FILE PIC

A top Sharia court was accused of ‘protecting abusive partners by sabotaging criminal proceedings’

The Muslim Arbitration Tribunal (Mat) in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, has come under fire amid accusations of “sabotaging” criminal proceedings relating to domestic violence.

The Nuneaton Mat is one of the most influential Sharia courts in Britain, ruling on disputes between members of Muslim communities. On the tribunal’s website it states that it can make submissions to ask the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to reconsider criminal charges brought against men accused of domestic violence.

The Mat says it aims to provide reconciliation between parties where charges for criminal assaults relating to domestic violence have been brought forward.

What is Sharia law?

We need to support women them rather than trapping them in blind alleys designed to contain them

Lord Macdonald

“The parties can ask MAT to assist in reaching reconciliation which is observed and approved by MAT as an independent organisation,” the website states.

“The terms of such a reconciliation and then be passed by MAT on to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) through the local Police Domestic Violence Liaison Officers with a view to reconsidering the criminal charges.”

But critics have accused the Sharia court of protecting violent men by sabotaging criminal proceedings and encouraging women to “reconcile with abusive partners”.

Sharia councilGETTY • FILE PIC

Sharia councils offer mediation services to Muslim communities

Earlier this year the Government launched an inquiry into Sharia Courts in Britain over their treatment of women. 

A statement by women's rights group Southall Black Sisters submitted as part of written evidence said: “The Mat, for example, actively involves itself in criminal proceedings on domestic violence, despite stating that it is unable to deal with criminal offences.

“It uses its position of power to persuade the CPS to drop charges and to encourage women to reconcile with abusive partners without reference to court orders they may already have or to risk assessments and safety planning.”

Muslim women walking in LondonGETTY • FILE PIC

Critics of Sharia courts say they are unfair to women

The group said Sharia councils are “highly arbitrary decision making forums that use dominant, patriarchal and authoritarian interpretations of Muslim codes”.

Sharia, the Islamic legal system based on the Koran, is equivalent to state laws in some Middle Eastern countries. In Britain Sharia law does no supersede UK law.

Sharia councils in the UK are only allowed to operate on a voluntary basis and both parties must consent to the mediation services. Mats have no enforcement powers.

But the tribunals have been accused of unfair treatment of women on various occasions.

Sharia councilGETTY • FILE PIC

The Government has launched an inquiry into Sharia courts

Their rulings legitimise forced marriages and issue divorce settlements that are unfair to women, according to its critics.

The parliamentary inquiry was launched by previous Home Secretary -now Prime Minister- Theresa May.

She said: “There is only one rule of law in our country, which provides rights and security for every citizen.

“This review will help us better understand whether, and the extent to which, sharia is being misused or exploited, and make recommendations to the Government on how to address this.”

The inquiry is due to hear from witnesses this week.

Former director of prosecutions Lord Macdonald has expressed concern over the dangers of allowing Sharia councils to deal with cases of domestic violence.

He said: “When a formal criminal charge is laid it is not appropriate for an extrajudicial institution to bring the victim and her alleged attacker together to seek a 'resolution' beyond the control of the UK courts and certainly not where that institution itself has a questionable approach to the rights of women and to their supposed place in society.”

“Women have been struggling for justice in domestic violence cases for decades. We need to support them rather than trapping them in blind alleys designed to contain them.”

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?