Update
Kurdistan Regional Government's Prime Minister Barzani Likens Honour Killing to Murder
20 July 2007
In a recent meeting with senior religious clerics, several ministers, and leaders of human rights and women's groups, Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani expressed his commitment to women's rights by addressing the rise of gender-based violence in Kurdistan and vowing to take tougher measures against those guilty of honour killings.
Barzani emphatically stated, "Killing under the pretext of protecting honour is murder…We will find those who commit these terrible crimes and we will prosecute them to the full extent of the law." He rebuked the government for its lack of action and promised that "government authorities will take the toughest legal measures." The regional premier proposed to change the definition of honour killings in the penal code from "honour crimes" to "murder."
The prime minister also urged the religious leaders to use their influence and positions to "spread a message of peace and tolerance in mosques and society" and to be "pioneers of reform to serve [the] people." He pushed for the religious leadership to "take responsibility for spreading the word that behavior and attitudes towards women must change."
Barzani's speech was a part of an ongoing discussion with leaders of government, civil society, and religious institutions on the cultural and societal problems in Kurdistan-Iraq and possible solutions to these problems.
For more information, see Prime Minister Barzani Tells Religious Leaders: Honour Killing is Murder" and "Kurdistan Prime Minister Promises Tough Line on Honour Killings."