[BurbankHibee]

President Sarkozy's party called today for a change in French law after a judge annulled the marriage of a young Muslim couple because the bride was not the virgin that she claimed to be.

The decision by a court in Lille has triggered outrage from the Government, media, feminists and rights organisations since it surfaced in a legal journal on Thursday. Patrick Devedjian, leader of the ruling Union for a Popular Movement, said that it was unacceptable that the law could be used for religious reasons to repudiate a bride. It must be modified “to put an end to this extremely disturbing situation”, he said.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register]

An interesting bit in the article is the following;

Elisabeth Badinter, a philosopher and pioneer of women's legal rights, said that she felt shame for the French justice system. “The sexuality of women in France is a private and free matter," she said. “The annulment will just serve to send young Muslim girls running to hospitals to have their hymens restored."

Although officially discouraged, the 30-minute surgical operation is in increasing demand from Muslim women who fear the consequences of being unable to prove their virginity on their wedding nights. Numerous agencies offer services for surgery trips to north African nations. One is offering a “hymenoplasty trip" to Tunis for €1,250 (£980). Internet sites and blogs are full of would-be brides in fear of the test of “the blood-soaked sheet”.

How quaint.