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Syria: Repeal Article 458 |
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007 23:39 |
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In Syria, recently, two sixteen year-old-girls were murdered in so-called 'honour' killings in the space of two days. On the 21st January Sheren was murdered by her brother; she was six months pregnant. Zahra was murdered on the 22nd by her brother; a newlywed, she had been kidnapped by a family friend in the first month of her marriage. Her kidnapper was convicted and jailed; however her 'honour' was percieved as being permanently tarnished, a stain that could only be removed by her blood. According to the Christian Science Monitor, some experts estimate that 200-300 murders are committed in the name of 'honour' every year. It is always difficult to assess the numbers of these crimes: they are rarely reported and the family conspire to conceal the act from police. Police often share the patriarchal values that view women as the property of the men in their families and the law supports this viewpoint.
Syrian law allows for reduced sentences in the case of a murder committed in the name of so-called 'honour': according to Article 548 of the Syrian Legal Code: Article 548
| 1. He who catches his wife, or one of his ascendents, descendents or sister committing adultery (flagrante delicto) or illegitimate sex acts with another and he kills or injures one of both of them benefits from an exemption of penalty
2. He who catches his wife, or one of his ascendents, descendents or sister in a suspicious state (attitude equivoce) with another and he kills or injures one of both of them benefits from an exemption of penalty. |
This and other articles create an environment where so-called 'honour' crimes are effectively decrimninalised. According to NESASY, the organisation for Syrian women, these murderers rarely serve more than a few months in jail, even when they are tried and convicted.
After the shocking murders of Sheren and Zahra, many Syrian voices are united in calling for reforms the Syrian Legal Code, including the grand mufti of Syria; to send a clear signal that the brutality of so-called 'honour' killing can no longer be tolerated, that tolerating such crimes brings shame to the country.
We ask you to join with NESASY and other progressive Syrian organisations in calling for legal reform.
To support NESASY's campaign (which has over 10,000 signatories already from within Syria) please send an email with your name, address and organisation to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with the subject line "I agree for Stop women killing. Stop honor crimes!"
Also, please write to the following to the President and your local Syrian Embassy if available to ask for this vital change in the law.
President's address:
His Excellency President Bashar al-Assad
President of the Republic
Presidential Palace,
Abu Rummaneh,
Al-Rashid Street
Damascus,
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 332 3410
Salutation: Your Excellency
Related links:
Christian Science Monitor: 'Honor' killing spurs outcry in Syria
Syrian Women's Observatory (Nesasy): Honour crimes archive in English
MEMRI: A Syrian Government Media Campaign Against ‘Honor Killings’
New York Times: Syria's First Study of Violence Against Women Breaks Taboo
Women Living Under Muslim Laws: Syria: Women's rights activists face resistance
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