The Push for "Banaz's Law" on Honour-Based Abuse

Banaz Mahmod, a 20-year-old Iraqi-Kurdish woman, was murdered in 2006 by her father and uncle in what has been classified as an "honour"-based killing. Her death followed her decision to leave an arranged marriage and pursue a relationship with another man. Despite reporting threats and violence to the police, her concerns were dismissed, highlighting systemic failures in addressing such cases. This month marks the 20th anniversary of her murder, prompting renewed calls for legislative change in the UK.

The Guardian

In response to Banaz's tragic story, advocates, including her sister Bekhal Mahmod and organizations like Southall Black Sisters (SBS), are campaigning for "Banaz's Law." This proposed legislation aims to create a statutory definition of "honour"-based abuse, improve the identification of such cases by professionals, and empower victims to seek justice. The law would also prevent defendants from using "honour" as a defense and recognize "honour"-based abuse as an aggravating factor in sentencing.

The Guardian

Recently, peers in the House of Lords have urged the UK government to adopt the proposals associated with Banaz's Law. However, the government has expressed hesitance, with Justice Minister Alison Levitt stating that while they welcome discussions on the matter, they do not currently see the need for statutory aggravating factors, citing existing guidelines. Nonetheless, Levitt confirmed that the government is committed to developing statutory guidance on "honour"-based abuse.

The Guardian

Sanskriti Sanghi, a campaigns manager at SBS, criticized the framing of migration as a threat to women's safety, arguing that it detracts from addressing the root causes of violence against women and girls (VAWG). She emphasized that the greatest risks often come from known individuals rather than strangers, and that the focus on migrant men perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Sanghi also advocates for extending protections for all migrant women, regardless of their immigration status, to prevent them from facing the dilemma of remaining in abusive relationships or risking deportation.

The Guardian

Bekhal Mahmod expressed fears that the current political climate, characterized by rising anti-immigrant sentiment, could deter victims of "honour"-based abuse from coming forward. She highlighted her own experiences of feeling marginalized and not taken seriously by authorities, which could resonate with other potential victims today. The ongoing migration debate in the UK raises concerns about the safety and trust of vulnerable communities in seeking help.

The Guardian

As the UK government considers the proposals for Banaz's Law, advocates remain hopeful for progress. While no specific timeline has been established for the legislative process, the government has indicated that it is prioritizing this issue. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in shaping the future of protections against "honour"-based abuse in the UK.

The Guardian

• “I’m always looking over my shoulder. I’m never going to let my guard down,” — Bekhal Mahmod, Sister of Banaz Mahmod

The Guardian

• “Sanghi said: “Violence against women and girls [VAWG] is being weaponised by the far right to further a racist and anti-migrant agenda and that marginalises communities and the most vulnerable within them, reducing trust and faith in the system.” — Sanskriti Sanghi, Campaigns Manager at Southall Black Sisters

The Guardian

• “emblematic of wider patterns of institutional failure to identify and respond to ‘honour’-based abuse” — Dee Doocey, Liberal Democrat Peer

The Guardian

• “We must do this once and we must get it right.” — Alison Levitt, Justice Minister in the House of Lords

The Guardian