The Jordanian Authorities' Ways of Dealing with "Honor Crimes"

The following are excerpts from a report about "honor crimes" in Jordan and the way the Jordanian authorities deal with this phenomenon. Al-Arabiya TV aired this report on May 18, 2005

TV presenter: This girl is languishing in jail because her family is threatening to kill her after she was assaulted by a man who ruined her life. She is in jail to prevent her killing for the sake of "honor."

Rape victim Widad: He opened the door, got in, and raped me. I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t think anything would happen, but a few months later I found out I was pregnant. I was afraid to tell my family, so I kept my mouth shut until my pregnancy started to show. When I was due, I went to hospital and gave birth. They asked me for the family ID card, but I did not have one. They told the police, which brought me here.

In'am Al-'Ashi, of the Women's Protection Center: Even if she is saved from death, she will not be saved from prison. To this day, the only place where she can be protected is, unfortunately, jail – the correction and rehabilitation center.

TV presenter: Jordanian law does not punish honor killers severely. The social heritage and customs protect these killers. The punishment for an honor killing does not exceed a few months in prison, because the killer enjoys the so-called "extenuating circumstances."