US hails passage of anti-honour killing bill

Vows to support Pakistan’s efforts to end the horrific practice

WASHINGTON: The United States has welcomed the unanimous passage of the bill against honour killings by Pakistan’s parliament.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the US State Department spokesman John Kirby said “we commend the efforts of the government of Pakistan to end this practice.”

“This legislation is an important step toward protecting women and girls in Pakistan and promoting their full participation in society,” Kirby said. “Raising social awareness and holding perpetrators accountable are critical next steps, and we will continue to support Pakistan’s efforts,” he added.





“The United States regularly reports on violence against women and girls around the globe and works to prevent and respond to such violence, including advancing accountability by working with law enforcement, supporting civil society’s efforts, and engaging with critical stakeholders such as men and boys,” the State Department spokesman concluded.



The newly passed anti-honour killing bill mandates life imprisonment for those who kill women over honour, most of whom are members of the victims’ family.

Meanwhile, Kirby, in his daily news briefing on Saturday, once again refused to confirm India’s claim of having carried out covert raids in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “I’d let Indian authorities speak to that,” he said when asked to confirm the so-called ‘surgical strikes’. “What we want to see is the tensions de-escalate [between Pakistan and India],” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2016.