| Pakistan
has come under international censure from rights
organizations for honor killings that have occurred
over the years. Some horrific details of parents
being a party to the killing of their daughters
on grounds of suspected sexual liaison have shocked
the world.
Human
Rights concerns, what does this entail? And does
the International Human Rights Declaration provide
the scope and wherewithal to combat the human violation
in societies/communities and nations? While on a
larger scale much is said and done with little effect,
efforts nonetheless continue. The dilemma however,
is with the indigenous, localized violation set in
a peculiarly tribal culture. The physical unwarranted
brutal behavior/abuse that is inflicted on another
member of society, with sanctions from a group in
tribal society.
What is “Karo Kari”? The term “Karo
Kari” means bringing shame to a family
and essentially affect women. It is rare that
a man if he were implicated in a liaison was
considered a partner in crime! “Karo
Kari” is a custom practiced in Baluchistan
and the bordering areas of Sind follows the
ritual. The spate of honor killing is prevalent
all over Pakistan and more rampant in feudal
societies/communities. The fact that power
and control are trademark of the powerful in
society, how this is manifest is traditionally
through fear; and this is derived invariably
by employing violent behavior.
Honor is paramount in the minds of the feudal
systems and is a male mindset in rural Pakistan.
Honor of a tribe, family or land are all linked
to the position/status of a woman. Should she
give rise to doubt through her behavior or
sometimes unwittingly commit an action which
is socially unacceptable, she has to suffer
consequences as grave as death.
The people
are accepting of this custom because it is
age old and decided by the village elders
in a “jirga”, who play an important
role in deciding issues. Whether in a land
dispute, a minor quarrel between families,
perhaps stolen animal, the tribal custom demands
some retribution, this takes on the act of,
honor killing avenging family or tribal honor.
In honor killings, if only the Kari is killed
and the Karo escapes, as is often the case,
the Karo has to compensate the affected man
-- for the damage to the honor he inflicted,
for the woman's worth who was killed and to
have his own life spared. This scheme provides
many opportunities to make money, obtain a
woman in compensation or to conceal other crimes,
in the near certainty that honor killings if
they come to court will be dealt with leniently.
Reports abound about men who have killed other
men in murders not connected with honor issues
who then kill a woman of their own family as
alleged kari to camouflage the initial murder
as an honor killing.
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