Wednesday 1 April 2009

So-called 'honour' killings

A couple of pieces that are worth reading.

Tracey Barnett, in her regular Herald column, writes about the case of a woman in Pakistan who was gang-raped as an 'honour' punishment. She was expected to kill herself, but she didn't, and she turned to some incredible activism instead. Now she's getting married, but as Barnett says, it's no fairy-tale ending. Update: As anjum points out in comments, Julie covered this case a couple of weeks ago: Pakistani women's rights campaigner marries.

And more on 'honour' killings in Turkey, where the latest variation is to ask women to kill themselves, so that male members of the family won't be prosecuted for killing them.

You have dishonoured your family, please kill yourself. H/T: Daleaway

5 comments:

stargazer said...

the pakistani case would be the same one julie covered here:

http://thehandmirror.blogspot.com/2009/03/quick-hit-pakistani-womens-rights.html

Deborah said...

I've updated the post. Thanks, anjum.

stargazer said...

thanx - just wanted to make it clear that it was the same person! still an appalling situation though, and a terrible example of manipulation without direct violence that still constitutes abuse.

James said...

Ahhhh the "religion of peace" at its finist.....can't wait for it to take over the west and bring women here its joys and wonders....

Julie said...

James kindly take your blanket hatred of Islam somewhere else and your paranoia about Them invading somewhere else. Further comments of this nature will be deleted.