The Dutch government is considering introducing stricter sentences for those who force people to marry.
Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten wants to raise the maximum sentence from nine months to two years. People usually enter into a forced marriage as the result of strong psychological pressure or under threat of violence.
Minister Opstelten also wants to enable judges to remand suspects in custody. At present, this is only possible when a suspect is accused of a crime which carries a four-year minimum sentence.