Farzana’s killing: US calls for swift trial of culprits

'We hope the perpetrators are quickly brought to justice in accordance with Pakistan’s law,' says spokesperson.

WASHINGTON: The United States State Department on Thursday condemned the ‘heinous’ killing of Farzana Iqbal and called for those responsible to be swiftly tried. “We hope the perpetrators are quickly brought to justice in accordance with Pakistan’s law,” spokesperson Jen Psaki said. Psaki denounced ‘unjustifiable acts’ against women around the world, especially “violence that occurs in the name of tradition and honour, such as so-called honour killings”.

She welcomed statements by Pakistani leaders denouncing the murder as well as new legislation protecting women’s rights in the country. “We encourage the full implementation of such laws as well as greater public awareness about these laws, especially in Pakistan’s rural and tribal areas,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2014.