Burning women alive: Senate panel set to discuss honour killings

Committee will discuss growing incidents of honour killing

ISLAMABAD: The Functional Committee on Human Rights is likely to discuss the surge in incidents of ‘honour’ killings, including the issue of burning women alive this week.

The matter was referred to the committee on June 9 by Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani.

The committee, headed by Senator Nasreen Jalil of the Muttahida Quami Movement, will discuss the growing trend of such incidents and suggest mechanism for curbing the menace of so-called ‘honour’ killings by defining relevant provisions in the chapter ‘Offences against Women’ in the Pakistan Penal Code.

The committee will be briefed on the Torture Convention adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1987 and will also likely discuss the report of the European Union on Human Rights.

In its pre-budget session, the Senate adjourned its proceedings for five minutes to senisitise the public about the occurrence of grave violence against girls and women. There was a strong reaction from within the House, demanding of the government to revive relevant legislations for ensuring protection of girls and women against ‘honour’ killings.

Meanwhile, the government seems to be inclined towards drafting its own Anti-Honour Killing Bill as hinted by federal Minister of Human Rights Kamran Micheal.

Earlier, a similar bill tabled by former Senator Sughra Imam of the Pakistan Peoples Party was allowed to lapse.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2016.