Speech of Homa Arjomand on International
Women’s Day
“Never Forget Hatun! Campaign against Honour Kinning” March 8th 2006
A political campaign is needed to
end honor killing
Happy International Women’s Day, The International
Campaign against Sharia Court in Canada in
conjunction with the Committee against Stoning and Women’s Liberation are
hosting this conference in order to announce a political campaign entitled
“Never Forget Hatun!” .
No doubt all of you are
aware of crimes that occur under the name of Honor Killing in Europe and
In today’s speech I would
like to talk about the importance of having a political campaign that promotes
a political solution and motivates all social activists and concerned global
citizens to join forces to end these medieval crimes.
I have no doubt that Honor
killing has been analyzed from various angles and the route of this cruel act
has become the subject of various conferences, forums and, panel discussions.
We are all aware of resolutions and possible solutions that have been put
forward by all. No one denies the serious measures which have been adopted in
some countries in order to save the possible victims of honor killing. We are
all aware that governmental and NGO’s have put forth an effort to build shelters,
outreach programs and even hot lines. We also know that a tougher criminal code
has been added to the code of criminal act in some countries for the accusers,
but the reality proves that all these precautions are not enough. This conference with its remarkable
attendance such as you proves that we need to do more serious actions to end
honor killing.
In here I am not talking
about the Islamic states or countries where backward culture and tradition has
been promoted and guarded by religious movements. In these countries the cruel
punishment for women for not being obedient, have a prolonged history and have
in fact become part of legislation. I am talking about Europe, North America
and
In Canada we are not
witnessing honor killing much, simply because in Canada women and young girls
who are not submissive are taken to their home countries such as India,
Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria and there they are being murdered by the male
member of the family or a hit man. And the state is not obligated to protect the
individual citizens who were forced to leave
In here I am not going to
put stress on the tie that honor killing has, with growth of anti-women culture
and religious movement, in particular Islamic movements as other speakers have
already touched base on or will do so. Needless to say the more we give in for
the backward culture and tradition, the more women will be
subjected to violence and brutal slaughter for refusing to obey the traditions
of their culture.
I only want to emphasize
on one point and that is to say, honor killing is a punishment for the women
who act not according to the religion, tradition and culture imposed on them.
To be more precise it is a punishment for the ones who desire to run their own
lifestyle and choose their own partner. The victims are women and young girls
who have thirst to be free and they are not willing to compromise for less than
modern and humane life style. Honor killing can only be compared with the witch
burning that took place during the European Medieval period and it should
be seen as comparably disgraceful. Keep in mind that the victims of honor
killing were at the forefront of the struggle for a well deserved human life.
We should not allow these symbols of resistance to vanish before our eyes.
What can we do in order
to end honor killing?
Among many implications
one can highlight a sever punishment for the ones who are involved in this
cruel and inhumane crime. And we should
indeed do so. We can and we should emphasize on integration and the concept of
the equal and universal rights of all citizens. This would prevent violence
against women and children in ghettos run by restrictive and backward cultural
and customs. We can and we should also make sure that religion stays out of
state and education systems or put bans on religious symbols in schools and
workplaces in order to prevent religion influence on the children. We should indeed implement harsh punishments
for the ones who violate children’s rights from enjoying their civil and social
rights. We can and we should spend
millions of dollars on public education in regard to honor killing. We can and
we should open shelters with expert social workers and 24 hour hot lines in
order to help and protect the potential victims. We could even issue the
possible victims new different birth certificates and identifications as well
as relocating them to safer areas. But without a political campaign this
medieval crime will reproduce itself and will hunt 1000’s more. To prove my point I need to expand on a few
facts. The Western states can not put
into place harsh punishments for the accused of Honor killing while financing
religious activities, institutions and provide them with material and moral
support. This is happening on regular bases.
As one can see from
reading a recent press news published in
Government of Canada
gives $30 million to His Highness the Aga Khan to
promote pluralism in Canada and abroad or when last week the Canadian
Supreme Court validated seek religion by lifting the ban on Seek boys carrying
daggers to schools. We don’t have to go too far to see these contradictions,
just take a look at the conservative government in the
“Tony Blair announced on
August 7th 2005 that an estimated 120 to 150 independent Muslim
schools will be offered "voluntary aided" status in line with almost
7000 Catholic, Church of England and Jewish schools”
65 million dollars are
given to Islamic groups in
Homa Arjomand