South Asians for Human Rights

Promoting Democracy, Upholding Human Rights

NEW DELHI: Former CJI and National Human Rights Commission chief K G Balakrishnan on Tuesday described honour killings as “cold blooded murder”, adding that more than a new law, awareness was needed in society against such inhuman acts. The statement comes at a time when the National Commission for Women and prominent women rights activists have been demanding a separate legislation to define honour crimes.
Balakrishnan was speaking at a seminar organised by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) on honour killings. Underlining the deep-rooted problem, NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said the commission was dealing with 50 cases that had poured in the last two months.
AIDWA vice-president and CPM politburo member Brinda Karat slammed political parties for pandering to vote bank politics and remaining silent on the issue. Society should have no right to control what women wear or do, she said, adding, “For example, if we criticise fundamentalists for making women wear burqa, we should also criticise western governments who have banned women from wearing the burqa in public places.”
In keeping with its demand to define honour killing and include in its purview all other kinds of physical and mental intimidation, AIDWA has drafted a proposed law that recognises young people’s right to life, liberty and bodily integrity.
The government has already set in motion amendments to various laws to recognise such killings as murder and bring speedy justice to the victims.
Source: Times of India – 21.07.2010