To any rational individual murder inspired by the mere disapproval of another’s behavior is absolute absurdity. However to those who are compelled by the belief that improper behavior or a simple accusation of improper behavior is deserving of death such a mentality is not only accepted it is expected.
This view is what has driven the term “honor” killing to become a reality. “Honor” killings refer to homicidal acts upon women that a murderer will justify as a necessary means to clear the “shame” a female relative may have brought upon the family name. The most common justification is alleged sexual relations outside of marriage. Sometimes the accusation is true but many times it is not.
The most common locations in which these crimes are reported include Bangladesh Brazil Ecuador Egypt India Israel Iran Italy Jordan Morocco Pakistan Sweden Turkey Uganda and the United Kingdom. Justice is made more difficult by the fact that the countries in which the majority of these crimes take place do not strive for a fair trial for women and girls and even if one is appointed it is often all too late.
Although there are diverse views regarding the motives behind these murders a case study conducted by United Nations Special Investigator Asma Jahangir reports that honor killings “tend to be more prevalent in but are not limited to countries with a majority Muslim population.”
Additionally according to a survey conducted at Dicle University fundamentalist prisoners interviewed after being convicted for an honor death responded with no guilt or remorse about the incident feeling that what they did was right.
On the other hand Jordanian Queen Rania’s perception of the matter differs. At a Women’s International League For Peace and Freedom conference the queen responded to the issue by declaring “We should have no tolerance for the acceptance of ‘honor’ killings. There is certainly no justification for such a practice in Islam.” No matter what the true root of the issue is such crimes are sadly still on the rise on a global scale.
These inhumane cultural practices are much more common than most people realize. According to the United Nations Population Fund almost 5000 women and girls are killed each year for allegedly “dishonoring” the reputation of the family. The basis of claims of “dishonor” range from accusations of alleged sexual behavior outside of marriage – which may be rumored and can even include involuntary rape – to a simple refusal to where the “hijab the customary head veil in Islam. Often, communities or families will elect an elder figure in the family or a minor to carry out the murder so as to minimize potential prison time they are charged.
In the year 2000, the Associated Press published the following report regarding the honor” murder of a young woman. “Hanan34 was shot dead by her brother for the ‘crime’ of marrying a Christian. Her brother left her body in the street and smoked a cigarette while he waited for the police to arrive. Every year between 25 and 50 women and girls are the victims of ‘honor’ killings in Jordan.”
From the use of a shotgun to the use of bare hands for strangling “honor” killings possess absolutely no honor at all and have continued to become more and more brutal. People like Jahinger and Her Majesty Queen Rania have continued to exert efforts to allow lawyers and judges to enter the regions where honor crimes are most common to ensure these crimes are accounted for and punished properly. Yet with many of the already-existing laws anchored toward less representation for women the struggle continues.
