There is no Honour in Killing!

By: Faiza Khatoon

A woman was knifed to death because she wanted to continue her education and refused to marry the man chosen by her family. Another woman shot five times because she ran away from her husband who continually beat her.

These murders are based on the belief that a women is the property of her family. Should the woman’s virtue come into question, for whatever reason, or if she refuses to obey her father, husband or brother? Her family’s “honor” is thought to be disgraced and the woman must be killed by a male relative to restore the family’s good name in the community.

The most frequently quoted figure published by the United Nations in 2000 is an estimate of 5,000 killings worldwide and more than 1,000 girls and women die in honor killings in Pakistan each year.

An Oscar-winning documentary directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy entitled, “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness,” is the story of a 19-year-old Pakistani girl, Saba Qaiser, who survived an attempted honor killing carried out by her father and uncle.

Even when police arrested Saba’s father and uncle, they justified their actions by saying they were defending their family’s honor. What is more concerning is that victims or families of victims are often forced to forgive their perpetrators, and once they forgive them, the individuals are no longer subject to criminal proceedings.

In 2004 anti-rape and honor killing law was passed to stop these crimes. Law declared that that the criminal will be punished for 10 to 14 years. In 2005 Muslim leaders argued that law should include a clause to forgive the criminal if family members want, as our religion is too flexible. The Parliament immediately denied to accept the suggestion but in 2006, law makers include this clause. Law was made but there was not any improvement.

 In 2016 an amendment was made in the law that the criminal of this case will be punished for lifetime imprisonment. It was also declared in the amendment that criminal will not be forgiven in any case.

But, In August, 2016 Qandeel Baloch was murdered by her brother for the same reason.

In these circumstances the implementation of law is questionable. Government should also design some campaigns for awareness among the public. Our society needs awareness more than a law at this time.