Honor Violence

WHAT IS HONOR VIOLENCE?

"Honor violence is violence against an individual who has ‘dishonored’ their
family. Victims of honor violence are targeted because their behavior violates
cultural or religious norms.2 The assailant feels that the only way to restore
family honor is to harm or kill the victim." 4

Honor violence occurs all around the world, but I will focus on Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey and India. Mostly but not limited to Muslim populations.

What human rights are being violated?

From "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights":

Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 18.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance

Who are the perpetrators and why are they allowed to get away with it?

“The assailant is usually the husband, father, or brother of the victim”4

"In Jordan and Iraq, honor killings are in a separate legal category – murderers
benefit lighter sentencing for honor killings.
In Pakistan, tribal courts may order honor-based violence in cases of family
disputes."4

What, if anything, is being done to address the problem?

There Are Campaigns That Are Working Against Honor Violence And Killings, Including:

Kurdish Women Action Against Honor Killing

Say No: Unite to End Violence Against Women

What more needs to be done?

In my research I found little support for victims of honor violence and killings.

That in of itself means that we do need to do more.
Especially in the communities where people can't speak up for themselves.

I suggest making safe places/houses for victims of honor violence to go to, especially in underprivileged areas.

In "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights"
Article 29 states
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Which is the long way of saying, we have a responsibility to protect other people's rights and freedoms.

Bibliography

• Inayat, Naila. "Shedding light on honor killings." USA Today 1 Mar. 2016: 03A. Student Resources in Context. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.
• "Trudy Rubin: Afghan couple's elopement brings attention to 'honor killings,' lack of international aid."Philadelphia Inquirer [Philadelphia, PA] 22 Feb. 2016. Student Resources in Context. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.
• Shankland, David. "Turkey." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices. Ed. Thomas Riggs. 2nd ed. Vol. 4: Countries, Poland to Zimbabwe; Bibliography; Index. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2015. 396-405.Student Resources in Context. Web. 20 Apr. 2016
• "Honor Diaries Honor Violence FACTSHEET." Honor Violence FACTSHEET(n.d.): n. pag. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.
• "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.
• "Articles 16-30, United Nations Declaration of Human Rights : Youth For Human Rights Video." United Nations Declaration of Human Rights : Youth For Human Rights. Youth for Human Rights, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.