Tayyaba Tehseen
There is nothing strange to know that women in Pakistan being killed in the name of honor for decades but it’s a ray of hope that the Government of Pakistan had approved the bill against honor killing in Pakistan. On Thursday, 6th October 2016 an initiative has been taken to give justice to the victim and bring the criminal to the book. Honor killing is a common practice throughout the Pakistan claiming the lives of hundreds of victims every year.
According to Aurat Foundation’s statistics, 432 women were reportedly killed in the name of honor in Pakistan, in 2012, 705 in 2011, 577 in 2010, 604 in 2009 and 475 in 2008. According to the Pakistan’s independent human rights commission annual report nearly 1100 were killed in Pakistan in 2015 by relatives who believed they had dishonored their families and more than 900 women faced sexual assault. More than 800 committed suicide after the societal pressure on regard of honor related matters. Reportedly, one thousand women deprived of the right to live in 2014 and 869 in the year 2013, respectively. Unreported cases are far greater in number than reported.
Read also: Kalat: Man Brutally Slit Throats of Two Wives for Honor
Acid attack is also a common practice in this regard. The predominant causes of these killings in 2015 were domestic disputes, alleged relations and exercising the right of choice in marriage. Attempted rape also a matter of concern that ruins the lives of victims and their families. The criminal law (Amendment) (Offences Related to Rape) Act, 2016 and (Amendment offences in the name or pretext of honor) Act, 2016 had been passed to curtain the way of these unlawful practices.
Here I must highlight this quote that justice delayed is justice denied. Just passing of these laws is not enough, the government must impose these laws to eradicate this heinous crime and save the lives of innocent citizens at any cost.
Honor killing is a part of the culture, not a religion and there is “No Honor in Killing” and there is No place in Islam for killing in the name of honor. This is the time for our judiciary to take the serious decision on the previous and current cases and take actions through these bills which had been passed by the parliament.
Delaying justice is an injustice, to the victims and their families and this delay or non-seriousness by the governmental and judicial side also is a reason for encouragement and motivation for offenders and killers of humanity. Implementation of laws passed by legislative bodies is the need of the hour to hinder the way of honor killing. Honor, is to love, protect and to defend. There is No honor in murder. Stop Honor Killing Now.
Writer is student of M.A in Political Science from the University of Karachi.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the author and Balochistan Voices not necessarily agrees with them.
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