Honor killing in the United Kingdom

Abstract

In recent years there have been a spate of killings in the UK characterized by the family members killing their own daughters or one of the female family members. These killings have one theme in common: a female member is generally killed by her family brutally for transgressing family code. These killings are referred to as ‘honor killings' for want of proper understanding and definition. On an average 12 such killings take place every year in the UK. The media has generally taken a misinformed attitude on these crimes. They have radicalized the issue of honor killing by attributing ‘honor killings' to a specific community and religion, thereby distorting the issue into us/them dichotomy. This paper makes a serious attempt to straighten the facts by addressing ‘honor killings' phenomenon at its roots. Islam doesn't favor honor killings as it is based on Quoran which not only demands strict proof before victimizing any one but also defends women who are wrongfully victimized by punishing the false accuser. Islam is also liberal in matters of faith and strictly prohibits adoption of Islam through compulsion. The obvious conclusion then is that there are other reasons than culture and religion accounting for the perpetuation of ‘honor killing'.

The paper discusses at length the factors responsible for honor killing. It also takes the stand that crimes of honor are universal and routinely occur among the White population of the United Kingdom. Only these crimes do not bear the stigma of ‘honor killing'. They could be the crimes of passion, or domestic violence, but the elements of jealousy and revenge might be seen in these crimes. The paper also makes an attempt to highlight the ‘human rights' aspect that is inevitable in such crimes even as the universal application of human rights might be problematic.