Humayra Abedin
Humayra Abedin | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 2, 1976 Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Known for | Surviving forced marriage and legal case in UK and Bangladesh |
Humayra Abedin (born 2 March 1976) is a Bangladeshi physician who practiced within the NHS in the United Kingdom. She gained significant public attention after her parents attempted to compel her into marriage and detained her until a court mandate secured her freedom.
Education and career
Abedin’s early life was spent in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is the sole offspring of Mohammad Joynal Abedin, a retired entrepreneur who managed a garment factory along with various retail outlets, and Begum Sofia Kamal, a homemaker. Her education began at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, followed by medical studies at Dhaka Medical College.
In September 2002, she relocated to England to undertake a master's program in public health at the University of Leeds. By 2008, Abedin was undergoing general practitioner training at Whipps Cross Hospital in East London and was progressing toward a registrar position within a local GP practice.
Legal case
Abedin’s Muslim family strongly disapproved of her long-standing relationship with a Bangladeshi software engineer she had met in London. Starting in May 2008, they endeavored to separate the couple and coerce her into marriage.
The Metropolitan Police initiated an investigation in June 2008 after Abedin was confined by her mother and uncle. The case also drew the involvement of Interpol.
In August 2008, under deceptive circumstances, her family enticed her to Bangladesh, where they seized her passport and kept her captive. On 13 August, she was taken to a private medical facility, sedated, and held until November.
After communicating with friends about her involuntary confinement, legal proceedings were launched. Abedin engaged legal counsel to annul the coerced marriage.
Despite disregarding orders from the Bangladeshi high court, her family was subjected in December 2008 to a court injunction under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007, representing the first application of this law for an overseas national residing abroad.
On 14 December, judicial authorities decided she should remain under custody in Dhaka until arrangements were made for her return to the UK. She departed for London on 16 December.
By 19 December, Abedin secured high court protection preventing any attempts to remove her from the United Kingdom. Injunctions prohibited interference from her parents, uncle, and the individual she was forced to wed. Additional legal measures ensured she would not be taken out of the UK again. Notably, she chose not to pursue criminal charges against her parents.
See also
External links
- 1976 births
- Living people
- Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Kingdom
- Bangladeshi general practitioners
- Physicians from Dhaka
- People from Upton Park, London
- Alumni of the University of Leeds
- Forced marriage
- Dhaka Medical College alumni
- Viqarunnisa Noon School and College alumni
- 21st-century Bangladeshi women