Amnesty InternationalJuly 19, 2016
“This needs to become the rule rather than the exception. Pakistan needs to undertake structural reforms that end impunity for so-called ‘honour’ killings, including by passing legislation that removes the option of clemency for such killings without resorting to the death penalty as a punishment,” said Champa Patel.
Qandeel Baloch's brother has confessed to strangling his sister to death during her sleep on 15 July, triggering global outrage.
Under Pakistan’s current laws, the family of a murder victim may pardon the perpetrator, including on payment of compensation known as ‘diyat’ or ‘blood money’. In cases of so-called honour killings, where members of the victim’s own family are responsible for the crime, the perpetrator may be pardoned by their own family and not face imprisonment or any other punishments.
“By failing to hold perpetrators of so-called ‘honour’ killings accountable for their crimes, the Pakistani state has been forfeiting its duty to the victims and letting a climate of impunity take reign. This leaves many thousands of people – mostly women and girls – from all walks of life and across the country at risk of falling victim to these crimes,” said Champa Patel.
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For more information:
- Brother of Pakistan's Qandeel Baloch charged with crime against state, CNN, July 19, 2016
- The Outrageous “Honor Killing” of a Pakistani Social-Media Star, The New Yorker, July 19, 2016
- SHOCKING: Surge of Honor Killings in Pakistan, Amnesty International USA, July 2, 2016
