Recent ban on cousin marriage in Denmark and Sweden faces pushback in local communities

Denmark and Sweden’s recent decision to ban cousin marriage has sparked widespread controversy, especially among foreign communities where such unions are traditionally common.

The decision was released following health reports linking a rise in physical disabilities among children to consanguineous marriages. However, critics argue this law infringes on cultural practices and individual choice in selecting life partners.

Opponents view the decision as unnecessary interference that unfairly targets specific cultures, while some community members argue that the occurrence of disabilities among children is not necessarily tied to cousin marriages but could be due to other health or genetic factors.

Kurdish-Danish writer Deniz Berkhodan defended the decision on health grounds, noting that the practice is rare among ethnic Danes but more common among immigrant communities. Her comments were met with backlash, as critics saw them as disparaging foreign cultures.