Incest to Be Banned in France after Year of Scandals

THE TIMES: The French government has announced plans to ban incest, bringing the country in line with most European countries.

Under French law, incest is only banned if children are involved. Adrien Taquet, the secretary of state for child protection, said that the government wanted to criminalise incestuous relationships even when both parties are over 18. Cousins would still be allowed to marry and ministers are yet to confirm whether stepfamilies would be included.

“Whatever the age, you don’t have sexual relations with your father, your son or your daughter,” he said during an interview with AFP. “It is not a question of age, it is not a question of consenting adults. We are fighting against incest. The signals must be clear.” » | Adam Sage, Paris | Tuesday, January 11, 2021 [£]

Opponents of Gay Marriages Say It Will 'Open the Door to Polygamy and Incest'
THE GUARDIAN: Claims by lobby group that reform of law would have far-reaching effects attacked as 'extremist and confused'

A lobby group against gay marriage, formed by MPs and bishops, is embroiled in a row after one of its leaflets claimed that reforming the law would open the door to incest, polygamy and a new wave of illegal immigration.

The eight-page document, produced by the Keep Marriage Special campaign, whose supporters include the former bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir Ali, warns of the "consequential impact" of the reform.

The glossy leaflet, which has a picture of a mixed-race couple in an embrace on the cover, claims: "If the only basis for marriage is the desire of the parties to get married then there is, according to the logic of this proposal, no reason not to open up marriage to more than just same-sex couples. Polygamy, polyandry and incest would all be permissible."

It adds: "The immigration service is already swamped with false marriages – this would only add to their problems."

At the moment, only men and women are permitted to marry; same-sex couples can only form civil partnerships, which became law in 2005. Civil partnerships give same-sex couples the right to the same legal treatment as married couples across a range of matters, but the law does not allow such unions to be referred to as marriages. » | Daniel Boffey, Policy Editor | Saturday, June 23, 2012