| PCHR Condemns Killing of Palestinian Woman in Gaza to “Maintain Family Honor” |
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| Wednesday, 18 July 2012 00:00 |
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18 July 2012
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the killing
of W. M. Q. (19) by her relatives in al-Shati refugee camp this morning to “maintain
family honor.” PCHR calls for a serious
investigation into this crime and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
02:00 on Wednesday, 18 July 2011, the body of W. M. Q. (19), from al-Shati refugee
camp in the western part of Gaza City, was brought to the Shifa Hospital in
Gaza City. According to the Forensic
Medicine Department, the victim was killed by strangulation.
According to Major Ayman al-Batniji, Spokesman of the Palestinian
Police, the police immediately opened an investigation into this crime and
arrested the victim's father and brother, who said that they killed W. M. Q. to
“maintain their family’s honor.”
It should be noted that a similar crime was committed in Khan Yunis,
in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, on 23 March 2012, which left K. K. dead.[1]
PCHR views these crimes with grave concern and hopes that
procedures will be taken to address the crimes. PCHR also notes that, in 2011, there was visible
improvement in the steps taken to put an end to violence practiced by the local
community, particularly crimes committed to maintain “family honor.” On 15 May 2011, President Mahmoud Abbas issued
a legal decree to abolish the eased sentences issued for crimes committed to
maintain “family honor.” PCHR hopes that
this decree will be a step towards the elimination of such crimes, as those who
commit these crimes have not been punished, but instead enjoy the protection
granted to them through eased sentences (maximum of 3 civil year of
imprisonment). This has contributed to
the prevalence of such crimes in Palestinian society and has opened the door
for the undermining of the rule of law.
PCHR strongly
condemns this crime and:
1. Calls for
serious investigations into the death of W. M. Q. and to bring the perpetrators
to justice; and 2. Calls
for the prosecution of perpetrators of “family honor” murders. These murders must be dealt with in the same
manner as other crimes of willful killing, taking into consideration
international human rights standards. [1] For more information, see PCHR’s press release, “PCHR Condemns Murder of Woman on the Ground of ‘Family Honor’ in Khan Yunis,” 25 March 2012, Ref: 36/2012. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites |
