Rehannah Hussain June 6, 2005
Honour Killings in Pakistan
Thesis
Due to factors such as cultural relativism, state indifference, and a patriarchal society which complies, promotes and enforces women’s oppression, Pakistani women continue to be in isolation and in fear for their lives in light of the threat of honour killing.
/ Arguments / Evidence / Counter Arguments / Analysis /1 / The practice of honour killing has nothing to do with Islam or the Quran. / · “Muslim faith doesn’t allow killing of women in the name of honour.”[1]
· “These self-styled guardians of family honour see the crimes in light of their own Quranic interpretation.”[2] / · Honour killings are associated with strict religious doctrines of Islam.
· “Honour killing … has been incorporated in the religion of Islam, because of its anti-women nature and misogynist philosophy.”[3] / The argument directly addresses the cultural relativism issue brought up in the thesis by showing how honour killings are rooted in regional cultural practices rather than Islam.
Evidence shows that honour killing has been incorporated into Islam – not because of anything inherent in the religion – because of misinterpretation of the Quran.
2 / The law of Pakistan does not provide adequate support in the defense of women, nor does it entirely condemn honour killings. / · “The government has passed new legislation to address honour killings…”[4]
· The Pakistani government completely disregarded findings describing domestic violence as one of the country’s most widespread violations of human rights.[5]
· State prosecutors and the court system discriminate against women.[6] / · The Pakistani government has increasingly opened the channel of communication to discuss the country’s current status of honour killings. / The lack of adequate support from government and state officials highlights the issue of state indifference with regards to honour killings.
Despite the fact that there are Pakistani laws technically in place to protect women from these atrocious crimes, honour killings still occur and perpetrators still evade justice.
3 / The traditional theory on patriarchy focuses on the underlying legitimating beliefs of male authority over women, and on the expectations of appropriate female behavior. / · One perpetrator “sprinkled his victim’s blood on his clothes and paraded through the streets displaying the bloody murder weapon... to increase his honour. He was considered, not a murderer, but one who restored honour.”[7]
· “A woman’s own father or brother uses this form of violence against her which further legitimizes [it]; the father and brother are seen as having an integral connection with the woman that could only be severed (making it possible for them to take her life) in extreme situations.”[8]
· A man’s ability to dominate women defines manliness; his honour and the honour of his group are at stake.[9] / · Pakistan is one of the most progressive Islamic nations. Pakistan is the first country in the Muslim world that has elected a woman as its leader.[10] / The embedded patriarchal structure that dominates Pakistani culture reinforces the subjugation of women.
As a result, not only are honour killings often rationalized, they are also seen as an acceptable way to keep women in line.
The fact that the patriarchy is so embedded in the society only makes change that much more difficult.
1
[1] M. Rizvi. “Honour Killing Rises in Pakistan Despite State and Religious Opposition.” Pacific News Service. http://www.pacificnews.org/content/pns/2000/nov/1128honour.html#top (28 Nov. 2000)
[2] Ted Fox. “Honour Killings.” Human Rights - Archived Article http://www.humanbeams.com/humanrights/afghanistan_islam/honour.html (20 Jan. 2002)
[3] Azam Kamaguian. http://www.middleeastwomen.org/html/combination.htm (Jan. 2003)
[4] The World Sindhi Institute. “Pakistan Report: Supporting Human Rights and Democracy.” http://www.worldsindhi.org/usstatedept/pakistanreport04-05.html (2004)
[5] S. Burney. “Pakistan: Women Face Their Own Crisis.” www.hrw.org/press/1999/oct/pakpr.htm (1 Mar. 2002)
[6] CBC TV's Witness. The Culture of Honour Killing” Witness Presents.... http://www.tv.cbc.ca/witness/honour/culture.html (20 Jan. 2001)
[7] N. Baker, P. Gregware and M. Cassidy. “Family Killing Fields: Honour Rationales in the Murder of Women.” Violence Against Women. Vol. 5 No. 2. February 1999
[8] Y. Hassan. “Stove Burning, Acid Throwing, and Honour Killing” Women and International Human Rights Law
[9] N. Baker, P. Gregware and M. Cassidy. “Family Killing Fields: Honour Rationales in the Murder of Women.” Violence Against Women. Vol. 5 No. 2. February 1999. Sage Publications, Inc. Pg. 168
[10] Muhammad Bilal Sharif. “Women’s Rights in Pakistan.” http://azaz.essortment.com/pakistanwomanr_rjrs.htm (2002)