'Honour Killings' in Pakistan and Compliance of ... - Aurat Foundation

eflect the community’s silence on the issue, not allowing for effective
reporting
Interviews conducted at community level show the conservative nature of
the community. The researcher had an opportunity to interview a young
man 47 who had murdered his own sister. He was extremely proud of what
he had done. He claimed he would have lost all his honour because of her
behaviour if he had not acted as he did. He stated that he had been
supported in his actions by his immediate and extended family, as well as
the neighbours and others. His brother, who was also the brother of the
victim, stated his brother was indeed honourable. He noted that all
women were responsible for their actions and therefore for their
consequences, therefore his sister deserved to die. He also shared that on
her death, the entire family celebrated her death with song, dance and
firing in the air. When asked whether he knew about the 2004 law and
that honour killings were illegal and punishable, he laughed it off,
claiming that money can buy you anything, including your freedom, so
there was no need to worry when you had money: ‘When you have
money, no law applies to you’. His brother also confirmed that the police
always take money, so there was no problem. Another family member
interjected asking, who had the law really punished until now
Local lawyers state that in such cases there is usually a compromise
between the families before the case even gets to court. Therefore, there
is no fear amongst the people about being punished for the crime. If the
worst comes to worst, the perpetrators have to undergo three years
imprisonment.
47 Names have been omitted for the sake of privacy
45