Honour: Crimes, Paradigms, And Violence Against Women

Honour: Crimes, Paradigms, And Violence Against Women

This book arises from the practical insights and experiences of individuals and organisations addressing so-called 'honour crimes' in different geographic and social contexts, including 'honour killings' and interference with the right to marry. Its purpose is to support human rights activists, policymakers and lawyers by explaining what such crimes are, how they vary from country to country, and what strategies are needed to combat them. Drawing on original case material from a wide range of countries, it identifies and analyses cross-cutting thematic issues and seeks to develop a human rights based framework as an alternative to a culturally relativist approach. It urges the reform of many national legal systems which enable men to rely on the pretext of 'honour crimes' in order to get a reduced sentence. The contributors take the position that the concept of 'crimes of honour' should have no special legal recognition but should be treated as any other acts of violence against women - they have no justification.