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TOPIC -17

Honor Killing

Quick Points to Remember

• Honor Killing is also called as ‘shame killing’ or ‘customary killing’.
• It is often planned and executed by victim’s family members.
• People who commit this heinous crime usually believe that their action is
right and justified.
• Generally, women are the victims of this type of violence, but sometimes
men are also targeted. Victims are physically, mentally and emotionally
abused and murdered for a plethora of reasons such as refusing an
arranged marriage, disobeying elders, seeking a divorce etc.
• In many instances, raped women are murdered as family members think
it brings 'dishonor' to their family.

Introduction:
An honor killing is an extreme type of domestic violence. It happens when a victim is
murdered by their own family member or members because of the rumors, belief or
even suspicion that the individual has brought dishonor to the family, clan or
community. Honor killing victims are targeted as it is assumed that their behavior
violates religious or cultural norms. It is believed that murdering the person bringing
‘dishonor’ is justified and they can reclaim the family’s honor.

In honor killing cases, the murders are called as the assailants and they feel that the
only way to salvage their family’s honor is by harming or killing the victim. Generally,
the victims of honor killing are shot, burned alive, stoned, smothered, strangled, acid
attacked or stabbed.

How Common is Honor Killing?
Honor killings are documented among the people of almost all major religions
followed in the world. In 2000, as per the United Nations reports, it is estimated that
around 5,000 cases of honor killings occur worldwide each year. Majority of the

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