Pakistan steps up to remove “honour” from honour killing
Authors: Huda Fatima, Tooba F Qadir, Syed A Hussain, Ritesh G Menezes
Journal: The Lancet Global Health (2017)

In a ground-breaking development on Oct 6, 2016, the Pakistani Parliament unanimously approved anti-rape and anti-honour-killing bills that introduce stricter punishment for the perpetrators of such crimes.1Bilal M Pakistan passes anti-honour killings and anti-rape bills.Dawn (Karachi). Oct 7, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).https://www.dawn.com/news/1288177/pakistan-passes-anti-honour-killings-and-anti-rape-billsGoogle Scholar Women in Pakistan, despite accounting for an estimated 52% of the country's population, receive little or no protection from the state in cases of honour killing—in which the female victim is killed by a relative—as previously the perpetrator could officially seek forgiveness from the victim's family, thereby avoiding all legal consequences.2Imtiaz S Oscar win shines light on Pakistan efforts to stop 'honor killings'.New York Times. March 2, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/03/world/asia/pakistan-honor-killing-documentary-oscar.htmlGoogle Scholar Similarly, the number of rape convictions in Pakistan is extremely low, mostly because of the law's reliance on circumstantial evidence and refusal to accept forensic proof as primary evidence.2Imtiaz S Oscar win shines light on Pakistan efforts to stop 'honor killings'.New York Times. March 2, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/03/world/asia/pakistan-honor-killing-documentary-oscar.htmlGoogle Scholar The new legislation has tackled both of these problems directly. The provision of DNA testing for both the rape victim and the alleged perpetrator has been included in the anti-rape legislation, which also demands the death penalty for the rape of minors and individuals with mental or physical illnesses.1Bilal M Pakistan passes anti-honour killings and anti-rape bills.Dawn (Karachi). Oct 7, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).https://www.dawn.com/news/1288177/pakistan-passes-anti-honour-killings-and-anti-rape-billsGoogle Scholar Public servants found guilty of using their official position to commit rape will also be given the death penalty, and individuals who disregard or sabotage rape investigations will be sentenced to 3 years in prison, given a fine, or both.3Zaidi HB Anti-honour killing, anti-rape bills finally passed.Dawn (Karachi). Oct 7, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).https://www.dawn.com/news/1288569Google Scholar Rape trials will be conducted on camera and victims will be afforded privacy and security by the barring of publicity regarding their identity and use of videotaping to record their statements.3Zaidi HB Anti-honour killing, anti-rape bills finally passed.Dawn (Karachi). Oct 7, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).https://www.dawn.com/news/1288569Google Scholar The anti-rape legislation will also discard provisions in the previous law that allowed the victim's character to be questioned, so that sex workers are afforded equal protection.3Zaidi HB Anti-honour killing, anti-rape bills finally passed.Dawn (Karachi). Oct 7, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).https://www.dawn.com/news/1288569Google Scholar The anti-honour-killing legislation has encouraged judges to sentence accused murderers to life imprisonment, even if an official pardon is provided by the victim's family.3Zaidi HB Anti-honour killing, anti-rape bills finally passed.Dawn (Karachi). Oct 7, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).https://www.dawn.com/news/1288569Google Scholar Records show that more than 700 women were killed for honour in Pakistan in 2014.2Imtiaz S Oscar win shines light on Pakistan efforts to stop 'honor killings'.New York Times. March 2, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/03/world/asia/pakistan-honor-killing-documentary-oscar.htmlGoogle Scholar The new changes in the existing laws follow a series of attacks against women in 2016 alone, including the brutal honour killing of Qandeel Baloch, a popular Pakistani social media personality, by her brother, which sparked worldwide condemnation and protest. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, who filmed an Oscar-winning documentary on honour killings in Pakistan, has also called for swift adoption of these pieces of legislation to bring about justice for Pakistani women.3Zaidi HB Anti-honour killing, anti-rape bills finally passed.Dawn (Karachi). Oct 7, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).https://www.dawn.com/news/1288569Google Scholar Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has promised nationwide implementation of these laws as the empowerment of women, their protection, and emancipation are essential for the equal contribution of both genders to the country's prosperity and development.1Bilal M Pakistan passes anti-honour killings and anti-rape bills.Dawn (Karachi). Oct 7, 2016; (accessed Oct 28, 2016).https://www.dawn.com/news/1288177/pakistan-passes-anti-honour-killings-and-anti-rape-billsGoogle Scholar We declare no competing interests.