Violence against women is an integral part of the society all over the world. However Honour Killing is the most barbaric and criminal form of violence against women. Every day we witness girls and women being murdered in this savage way all over the world, from Iran, England, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, to Algeria.

According to police reports, every year, 5000 women are murdered under the pretext of Honour Killing in Britain. This is just the tip of the iceberg. It is more than the innocent victims of international terrorism. Honour Killing has taken a universal magnitude and demands a unified action on an international scale. The ideology and excuses behind Honour Killing stems from backward social, nationalistic, religious and reactionary laws and traditions, in which women do not have any rights. In this tradition, women are the properties of men and can be treated or even killed as men wish. This culture turns men into murderers of their beloved and turns the family into judiciary court where women are judged and condemned to death. Poverty and ignorance are also part of this culture.

The aim of International Campaign against Honour Killings is to end honour killings. Any struggle to end violence against women HAS to address honour killings. We must stand firm to end such barbarity on an international scale.

We demand:

1- A secular, free and human society;

2- Separation of religion from state;

3- Abolition of all religious, nationalistic, cultural laws which supports honour killing and defends the murderers or reduces their punishment under the pretext of cultural reasons;

4- That honour killing be considered an act of murder and dealt with accordingly;

5- That the education system and any other cultural facilities to be utilized to combat such backward religious and cultural backwardness in the society, and defend the universal rights of women;

6-That women’s rights are universal, so such rights should be protected by law and implemented;

We urge all human rights organisations and individuals to join us in our efforts to put an end to Honour Killings and violence

against women. We can make a difference if we are united.

Diana Nammi (galavizh)

Founder and Chairperson of "International Campaign against Honour Killings"

25/11/03

diannammi@yahoo.com