“We are Muslim and Kurdish. We are not like the English where you can be boyfriend and girlfriend.”
This article from the Times Online (thanks to Sr. Soph) tells the whole tragic story of Banaz Mahmod, an honor killing victim in Britain. Here is the chronology of events:
Dec 4, 2005 Banaz Mahmod tells police of her uncle’s threats to kill
Dec 5 Police visit her home. She asks them to leave, adding she does not want to pursue allegations
Dec 12 She gives police a letter naming potential killers
Dec 31 Her father tries to kill her but she flees. WPC Angela Cornes attends. Rahmat Sulemani records Miss Mahmod’s allegations. She returns to his home
Jan 2, 2006 She meets her sisters and mother and is persuaded to return home
Jan 22 A Kurdish gang threatens Mr Sulemani
Jan 23 He reports incident to Kennington police. Miss Mahmod tells Mitcham police of death threats. She refuses a place in a women’s hostel
6.30pm The couple speak secretly on mobile phone
Jan 24 Miss Mahmod is murdered. Police call at the family home. Her father says she is out
Jan 25 Police visit her parents who say they do not want to report her missing
Jan 26 Police class her as a high-risk missing person
Jan 27 Full-scale investigation is launched
April 28 Her body is found in a suitcase in Birmingham