A woman has become the first person convicted under Australia’s forced marriage laws after her daughter was murdered by the man she was coerced into marrying.
Sakina Muhammad Jan was sentenced to at least a year in prison for forcing her daughter, Ruqia Haidari, into a marriage with Mohammad Ali Halimi in 2019. Halimi later murdered Haidari and is serving a life sentence.
The court heard that Jan had pressured her daughter to marry Halimi against her wishes, prioritizing family honor and reputation over her daughter’s happiness and safety.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of forced marriage in Australia, with the Attorney-General describing it as the most reported slavery-like offense.
While Jan expressed remorse for her daughter’s death, she maintained her innocence. Her conviction marks a significant step in Australia’s efforts to combat forced marriage.
