Attacked By My Brother

 Below, is the video of Gul Meena a 17 yr old Pakistan girl that ran away from her 65 year old husband. She had been married to him for 5 years.  Her huband physically abused her for 5 years . She eventually decided to run with a male friend but was followed by her brother and attacked. Her friend was killed and she was hacked with an axe. 15 blows to the head. She was left for dead.
This is the stuff of honour killings.

Honour killing is the homicide of a member of a family or group by other members, die to the belief that the victim has brought dishonour to the family or group. In most cases, women are the victims. Behaviours that 'warrant' honour killing include;

• refusing an arranged marriage
• Adultery ( alleged or fact)
• fornication
• not obeying customs( wearing a hijab for example)
• a victim of sexual assault
• Any behaviour deemed as bringing shame to the family

Men can also be the victims of honour killings by members of the family of a woman with whom they are perceived to have an inappropriate relationship. Homosexual men are also victims.

The UN puts the yearly honour kiling estimate at 5,000 a year. This figure has been greatly disputed.

The origin of honor killings and the control of women is evidenced throughout history in the culture and tradition of many regions. The Roman law of pater familias gave complete control to the men of the family for both their children and wives. Under these laws, the lives of children and wives were at the sole discretion of the men in their family. Ancient Roman Law also established historical roots of honor killings through the law stating that women found guilty of adultery could be killed by their husband in whatever manner the husband desired.In Greece also, the lives of women were dictated by their husbands as women were considered socially below males.