Muslims commit 91 percent of honor killings worldwide. A manual of Islamic law certified as a reliable guide to Sunni orthodoxy by Al-Azhar University, the most respected authority in Sunni Islam, says that “retaliation is obligatory against anyone who kills a human being purely intentionally and without right.” However, “not subject to retaliation” is “a father or mother (or their fathers or mothers) for killing their offspring, or offspring’s offspring.” (‘Umdat al-Salik o1.1-2). In other words, someone who kills his child incurs no legal penalty under Islamic law.
The Palestinian Authority gives pardons or suspended sentences for honor murders. Iraqi women have asked for tougher sentences for Islamic honor murderers, who get off lightly now. Syria in 2009 scrapped a law limiting the length of sentences for honor killings, but “the new law says a man can still benefit from extenuating circumstances in crimes of passion or honour ‘provided he serves a prison term of no less than two years in the case of killing.'” And in 2003 the Jordanian Parliament voted down on Islamic grounds a provision designed to stiffen penalties for honor killings. Al-Jazeera reported that “Islamists and conservatives said the laws violated religious traditions and would destroy families and values.”
In light of all this, until authorities get the courage to tell the truth about honor killing, there will be many more such murders.
“Cop kills sister for not withdrawing case,” by Rana Yasif for the Express Tribune, July 26 (thanks to David):
A woman was shot dead on July 20 by her brother, a police constable, for not withdrawing a case registered against him in April.
Tariq Shah, their elder brother of the deceased, said Najma, 35, part of the Sharqpur Inter College for Girls” cricket team, used to wear pants and ride a motorcycle. He said he and his brothers did not approve of it. He said they had warned her several times but she did not stop.
Police said on April 23, Sajid and Wajid, beat Najma with clubs. She was rescued by some neighbours. She filed a case against her brothers and an uncle, Naseer Shah, under Sections 354 (assault)/452 (House-trespass for intentional assault) and 379 (theft) with Shahdara police.
Her father, Sarwar Shah, complainant in the FIR, said that her brothers had wanted her to withdraw the case, but she had refused. Sajid Shah has yet to be arrested.The investigation officer said the suspects were on bail till July 28. He said they were not cooperating in the investigation. He said he will write to the court about this and their bails will be cancelled.