IKWRO

Sky TV accompanied Jagdeesh Singh and Diana Nammi and others as they presented a demand for a public enquiry into the failures attending the cases of Surjit Athwal and Banaz Mahmod.

View Jagdeesh's statement to the press here 

Jagdeesh Singh spearheaded the 'Justice for Surjit' campaign in the name of his sister, who was murdered in a so-called 'honour' killing upon the instructions of her mother-in-law, Bachan and husband Sukhdave. Seventy-year-old Bachan has recieved a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 20 years while Sukhdave must serve at least 27 years, but this victory was only won after many years of campaigning by 'Justice for Surjit' to demand the British government to take action -- a campaign which lasted for nine gruelling years. More background on Jagdeesh's campaign can be seen on ABC Australia.

Besides these are many many more cases in the UK, which have not received full public attention and action. have galvanized between these the many issues of official lapses, institutional failure, prejudiced mind-sets and government inaction. These cases are by no means the only honour killing cases. They epitomize the brute oppression, murder and official mishandling that is a common feature of many many female honour killings in the UK.

 The next pressing matter to be sorted is what happens to Surjit's children. Can't imagine how the outcome of the case will effect a 9 year and 16 year old. Her assets were stolen. They were told their mother had run away and didn't want them. All evidence of their mothers existence was obliterated and they were not even allowed to mention her name. They haven't been allowed any contact with their mother's family. Jagdeesh's parents are elderly and they desperately want to see their grandchildren.

IKWRO's 'Justice for Banaz ' campaign focussed on the police's failure to protect 20 year old Banaz Mahmod, who appealed for their help on over five occasions, but was upon each incident sent back to the family that ordered her murder. Banaz was murdered by three men under the supervision of her uncle. Her murderers boasted of torturing and raping her before killing her.