Honour Killing

In yesterday's BBC news, Banaz Mahmod 'honour' killing cousins jailed for life. Back in 2005, Banaz Mahmod was seen by her father and uncles to have brought 'shame' to her family for leaving her violent husband and  later began a relationship with her boyfriend, Mr. Sulemani. Her father then swore to hunt her down and in 2006, Banaz was killed by 2 of her cousins who had willing to do the 'honour' for her father. Her father and uncle were jailed for life in 2007 whereas the cousins were in a run until recently they were tracked down by police and has been convicted since then.

The fact that 'honour killing' still exist today shocked me to bits. Majority of the children are loved and embraced carefully by the parents. It is hard to believe that there are human who actually kill their own children as this is beyond humanity and even animals do not do that. What is more pathetic is, not only it existed until today, it is also said to be underestimated by the government. In a 2008 article from BBC NEWS, report author Salam Hafez said that,

"This phenomenon is kind of being perpetuated within second and third immigrant generations. And it's a cultural thing, and it exists, and it's going on. We're talking about forced marriage, we're talking about ideals, and you know, largely, it's been overlooked."

fellow report autor James Brandon said that the government is still not taking honour crime seriously.

"Until this happens, the ideas of honour which perpetuate this violence will continue to be passed from generation to generation," he said, calling on religious leaders, local authorities and central government to work together to tackle the issue.

Clicking in to stophonourkilling.com, there are hundreds of cases involving honour killing. Hundreds and more of these beautiful girls were killed by their family for pursuing what they want and what they ought to have -- freedom for being love or love someone or even freedom for being themselves.

Honour killing is the murder of a person accused of 'bringing shame' upon their family. This often happens in South Asia and Middle East countries where the communities and families are dominated by men. However, mothers and sisters would also play a part in some of the crimes. There are a lot of things  that might constitute dishonor, it can be anything from wearing cloths or choosing a career which the family disapprove of, to fall in love with someone whom the family disapprove of.

Many of the guilty tried to justify their action to religious ground however this is not what it is. The key factor to honour killing are cultural and family tradition decision. It is more like the men in the family trying to stop women from having their own decision which i personally think it is full of selfishness and barbaric.

Come to the end of this, I hope there will be more legislation amended to cease this problem and hopefully more organisation such as the Forced Marriage Protection Order will be formed and more women will be freed in this sense.

I'm glad that i have a family that truly loves me and will never hurt me.

SIAW CHIN TEE