Killing in the name of honour

Each year an estimated 5000 women are murdered in the name of honour, killed by siblings or fathers for bringing shame to their family or community.

While the law prohibits these murders, the concept of honour is ingrained into the male-dominated (patriarchal) Middle Eastern society, with women regarded as vessels to uphold the family honour.

Human Rights Watch defines honour killings as “acts of violence, usually murder, committed by male family members against female family members, who are said to have brought dishonour upon the family.”

‘Dishonour’ can include flirting, sexual activity, being a victim of rape, or avoiding an arranged marriage.

The murder or suicide of the woman is often regarded as the only means of redemption for the family.

The UNFPA estimates there are 5000 honour killings annually, although with so many unreported, experts predict the actual figures are much higher.

Where do they occur?

Honour killings are most commonly associated with remote, impoverished areas across Pakistan and the Middle East, although they have been reported in Egypt, Lebanon, India, Israel, Bangladesh, Brazil, Morocco, Turkey, Britain, America, France, Germany and Australia.

The UN has found a strong inverse link between modernism, women’s equality and violence against women. Impoverished and undeveloped societies show the worst results for violence against women.

Cultural roots

In Middle Eastern society, the practice is rooted in the concept of namus or sharaf, which loosely translates as ‘honour.’

In a patriarchal society, namus belongs to men, who have the responsibility to protect and control the sexuality and chastity of women, as well as decide their fate.

Virtues such as virginity, obedience, faithfulness and appropriate dress codes are crucial aspects in maintaining a family’s honour, with women who flaunt these taboos held responsible for eroding their family honour.

When the namus of a man is damaged, restoration in the eyes of the community can only come through cleansing; the murder or suicide of the young woman who has bought perceived shame upon the family.

In fact, some male family members are accused of lacking manliness by others if they don’t carry out the killing.

While honour killings are a breach of Sharia law as well as parliamentary law in most Middle Eastern countries, many cases go unreported and prison sentences are often light – between six months and three years.

Increasing media attention

After being a taboo subject for many years, honour killings are getting increased media attention. In the UK in 2003, Iraqi Kurd Abdulla Yones was sentenced to life for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter Heshu (for having a Christian boyfriend).

In 2007, 20-year-old Kurdish woman Banaz Mahmod (pictured) was murdered by her father and brother for having a relationship with a man her family did not want her to marry.

These cases have thrust honour killings into the media spotlight, and also highlighted the pressure immigration brings to bear on families, as women are faced with the conflict between cultural traditions and the norms in their new society.

Just last week in the UK, Turkish Kurd Mehmet Goren was sentenced to 22 years in jail for tying up, drugging and murdering his daughter Tulay in 1999 after she ran away with her boyfriend who was from a different branch of Islam.

At present, police believe there are 12 honour killings a year in Britain, with a quarter of the victims under the age of 18. A 2006 BBC survey found that one in ten young British Asians regard honour killings as an acceptable practice.

Potential change?

While honour killings are gaining attention outside of the Middle East, change within deeply patriarchal societies is more difficult.

Jordan is regarded as one of the most modern countries in the Middle East, and Queen Rania recently gave support to a women’s rights group who seek to introduce tougher sentences for men.

However, the move is being met with resistance from Sheikh Hamza Mansour, leader of the parliament's Islamic Action Front, as he claims the government is pandering to Western society.

At present, Jordan is setting up a tribunal specifically to deal with honour killings, with a minimum five-year penalty for murderers.

Nevertheless, in patriarchal societies where the behaviour of women is directly linked to family honour, it remains a valid solution in the eyes of the community.

Yet as more and more women are refusing to accept the excuse of cultural ways, and willing to speak out about their attackers, international attention could certainly help in changing this horrible practice.

By Victoria Craw

Photo – Banaz Mahmod, the Kurdish 20 year-old who was strangled and buried in a suitcase.