**Honor Crimes: Between Reality and Law**
Honor crimes remain widespread, with frequent reports of crimes committed against women, often justified by the perpetrators under the pretext of “honor” to mitigate their legal punishment, despite recent legal amendments targeting these types of crimes.
What do we mean by an honor crime, and what excuse does the perpetrator offer? An honor crime is typically committed by a relative of the victim, under the mistaken belief that the victim has engaged in an immoral act that warrants killing. How can the punishment for such a crime be reduced?
Initially, there was an exemption for those committing such a crime, but after numerous calls for its abolition, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas repealed the provisions that granted this exemption. However, the perpetrator might still benefit from a reduced sentence if the crime was committed in a state of intense anger, according to Article 98 of the Penal Code No. 16 of 1960.
What is society’s reaction to these crimes? It is well understood that humanity rarely agrees entirely on any issue, and this is no exception. Some people support these crimes, citing the deviation of women from religious and societal norms as a justification for killing those who commit acts deemed immoral, believing that this would cleanse the family of dishonor and reduce potential conflicts.
Conversely, there are those who oppose such crimes and demand the harshest penalties for the perpetrators, arguing that it is unacceptable to end a woman’s life under the pretext of honor. They emphasize that Islam forbids the taking of a life.
What is the legal classification of honor crimes? Most Arab laws recognize mitigating circumstances that reduce the punishment for a perpetrator who commits murder under the pretext of honor. The Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, applicable in the West Bank, also recognizes mitigating circumstances in Article 98, which states: “The perpetrator of a crime who commits it in a state of intense anger resulting from an unjust act of significant danger committed by the victim benefits from a mitigating excuse.” This implies that the victim’s act is considered unjust and provoked the perpetrator’s intense anger, leading to the crime. The law also includes other provisions that acknowledge mitigating circumstances, some of which have been repealed, while others that reduced the punishment for murder have been amended to exclude the killing of women in the name of honor.
It is important to emphasize that murder is unacceptable in all circumstances and is strictly prohibited by both religious and legal standards. There must be solutions for such crimes, which often have no genuine connection to honor. Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness of women’s rights and the seriousness of these crimes.
By/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚