I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…

The demonstrations were not related to the Shwbo case, but the public stoning of Du’a Khalil also by Kurds (Yezidi, not Muslim) which was beyond hideous. You can find footage of this in many places; hundreds of men took part and filmed it on their mobile phones, which circulated the country and wound up on the internet. I don’t recommend watching it.

I don’t think you can say they have renamed ‘honour’ killing — I think the article refers to the change in the legal code which happened in (IIRC) 2002. Previous to this, and still in the rest of Iraq, killers who claim ‘honour’ as a defence serve very much reduced sentence. This is technically no longer the case in Iraqi Kurdistan but as you may see, as in Turkey, this has led to a rise in ’suicides’.

Douglas: I’ll need to write a short intro to your petition then I’ll publicise it.

“Kurdistan: ‘honour’ violence attack sparks law change.
Shawbo Rauf Ali, 19 was beaten to death at a family picnic by her husband and several other men. Her husband suspected she was having an affair because an unknown number appeared on her phone. Her murder is among many killings in the name of ‘honour’ in the region.

The killing sparked several demonstrations highlighting violence against women in the region. Yusef Aziz, minister for human rights in the Kurdistan regional government said, “This phenomenon of violence against women has become very dangerous and is on the rise” adding that a long term strategy is essential, involving “raising society’s awareness of women rights, education, and passing new legislation to better protect women’s rights”.

Already authorities have taken ‘decisive measures’ towards honour killings including redefining the language to reflect the severity of the crime. Previously men who were involved in honour killings were not directly charged with murder. Now, under new legislation the term ‘honour killing’ has been removed and replaced with ‘deliberate murder’ which ensures punishment of life imprisonment or execution.”
Source: IPS News, http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38582

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Jagdeesh-Singh/

The text is unchanged, viz:

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to recognise through the honours system Jagdeesh Singhs fundamental humanity and concerted efforts on behalf of his sister. He would clearly be an asset to the House of Lords.

Jagdeesh Singhs sister was brutally murdered in a so-called ‘honour killing’. His tireless efforts on behalf of his sister are in the highest traditions of humanitarianism.”

Thanks, will do.

Rumbold,

Thanks for your comment too.

I will as soon as I find it myself! What happens is you submit a petition, a robot replies to you to confirm that you are who you say you are and says it is awaiting ‘moderation’

Mine seems to be at that point at the moment. It is, perhaps, a sensitive issue right now?

Douglas: I support your petition. But can you give me a proper link to it?

Lynn Welchman at SOAS published a book about this recently – it covers the practice in many regions, including those mentioned in Justagal’s post. I don’t know about whether there are cases involving Arab families based in UK – I’ve only heard of UK cases involving Kurdish and Sub-cont. families.

The whole point of campaigning to honour Jagdeesh Singh was to try and raise awareness of this issue. How does highlighting his case reinforce negative attitudes towards ethnic minorities? He comes across as a thoroughly decent individual, a credit to his country and his religion. There is a certain culture of silence when it comes to honour killings- for which those who stay silent must take some of the blame.

Douglas:

You did not need anyone to edit the petition. It sounds just fine.

Thank you for your insight.

Can I ask where you’ve read about such cases? I’d be very interested.

Do you know if Arab Muslims have been involved in ‘honour’ killings in Britain?

Honour killings are also a problem in countries like Jordan, Iraq and Palestine. I have also read that in some countries thhe legal system deals very leniently with those who kill for “honour”. In a few of cases the perpetrators have been Christian Arabs, so it is not an entirely Muslim problem.

“Indian, Pakistan, arab cultures all have elements of this, when people spout terms like Indian culture, values they betray the same mentality.”

Can you elaborate on this please.

Back to the topic this was about honour killings prevalent in the societies I referred to, where does the catholic church and the protestants come into this? Do you have insight into that apart from offering me biscuits?

You could say exactly the same about the Catholic Church. Or, depending on belief, bloody Protestants.

Your post takes the biscuit for most ridiculous post of the week, imho.

Go on, prove me wrong. You are just being rational, aren’t you?