French judge annuls marriage over broken hymen

Speaking of strange doings in the courtroom, how about a temporary change of venue? We go now to charming Lille, France, where according to this TimesOnline story, a judge’s decision to annul the marriage of a Muslim man and woman — after he discovered on the wedding night that . . . um . . . he was not the first to the scene — has touched off a huge controversy.

There will be lots of knee-jerk reactions to this story. I don’t think it’s as simple as it first appears. This world we live in is not the same as that of our parents. But their actions (and inactions) helped create it, whatever its merits or demerits.

Excerpts from the story (reader discretion advised):

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 operation is in increasing demand from Muslim women who fear the consequences of being unable to prove their virginity on their wedding night. 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”.

While ministers fulminated against the Lille decision, a different stand was taken by Rachida Dati, the Justice Minister, who has Moroccan and Tunisian parents. The law had, she said, protected the bride. “Annulling a marriage is a way of protecting the person who perhaps wants to undo a marriage. I think this young girl wanted . . . to separate quite quickly. The law is there to protect vulnerable people,” Ms Dati said.