Introduction

An honour crime or honour killing is the intentional murder of a relative, in order to protect the family’s dignity and honour. It is believed to have originated from several tribal customs when a dishonourable act has been committed, in order to protect the family from moral stigmatization by the community.  Although this abhorrent crime has several methods in which it can be perpetrated, including beating, shooting and even suffocating, the motive revolves around a central idea which is, protecting the dignity of the family. In spite of the fact that the victims are not always women and the perpetrators are not always men, the majority of honour killings are done against women. This is because, the perpetrators believe that they have brought dishonour to their family name by either engaging in premarital, extramarital or post-marital sex, refusing to enter an arranged marriage, engaging into relations with a person from a different religion or caste and sexual deviance or homosexuality. These honour crimes blatantly violate women’s rights making them powerless before chauvinistic patriarchal forces.

How do honour crimes violate women’s rights?

Honour crimes bring to light the pervasive discrimination against women and foster the atmosphere in which crimes against women flourish. It violates the right to life, the right to equality, freedom from torture and inhumane treatment, the right to personal liberty and security, the right to privacy and the right to health which are enshrined in several international treaties. As many nations condone this crime through government inaction or justification as a legitimate cultural practice, women are left to suffer from this routine discrimination and assault on their autonomy. In most cases, the women who are killed are buried in unmarked graves and their existence is denied by their families. Women do not have to be held hostage to backward customs resulting from the absence of legal deterrents and government measures.

What can be done to stop honour crimes?

Civil society, independent associations and advocacy institutions ought to be strengthened in order for honour crimes to be rendered obsolete. In addition to this, government action needs to be braced and women’s rights should be legally enforced. Also, judicial enforcement authorities should conduct their duties void of a gender-biased attitude. Considering the fact that this practice stems from archaic and disturbing customs, tribal justice and cultural defence that justify such crimes should be completely eradicated.

Conclusion

Honour crimes greatly affect men and women in every society. However, with women facing the brunt of the issue, their autonomy is constantly being threatened. The fact that honour crimes are often perpetrated by their own families makes it very disturbing and traumatising. Ideologies need to be changed and women should be free to make their choices without the fear of family retaliation. Society should promote a culture that shuns violence and encourages mutual understanding because there is no “honour” in killing.