First Steps Toward Understanding Honor Killing

Abstract

This chapter explores the oddity and complexity of honor killing. Sample incidents are discussed to reveal the general features of honor killing as a traditional practice significantly different from other forms of femicide. Adopting the Human Rights Watch definition of honor killing as a neutral and provisional guide, the chapter argues that honor killing should be distinguished from crimes of passion, domestic violence, and crimes of violence. Honor killings uniquely involve perceived obligations to execute a dishonored female where male blood relatives serve as killers and killing is a means of restoring family honor. Although most common in Muslim-majority countries, this practice occurs globally and apparently at an increasing rate. There is continuing public support for honor killing in some countries where it has been traditional despite increased official efforts to criminalize the practice. There is no special connection between Islam and honor killing. No religion endorses honor killing.