Honour Suicide and Forced Suicide in the UK

Abstract

The article aims to explore the phenomenon of suicide in relation to honour based violence (HBV). Although HBV is explored in depth in relation to honour killing, forced marriage and female genital mutilation, its link and manifestation in the form of suicide has not been discussed in existing literature. This article examines how suicide can manifest itself in honour based patriarchal communities as either honour suicide or forced suicide. Although both forms of suicide are carried out as a result of HBV, there is a crucial difference between them and this needs be identified and distinguished to hold perpetrators accountable before the law. Honour suicide and forced suicide both occur in honour based patriarchal communities and such practices spread around the world via immigration; hence the UK is not immune from this. Due to the complexity of the incidents and vulnerability of the victims, honour suicide and forced suicide are likely to be unreported and unrecognised by the legal system. Therefore, the discussion in this article will look at the national law in England and Wales related to suicide and critically examine whether it can address instances of honour suicide and forced suicide if they occur under its jurisdiction. Accordingly, it will suggest law reforms to address effectively the issue of suicide committed as a result of HBV and abuse.