Iraqi government grapples with honor killing reform

Islamic parties in Iraq have begun reassessing laws that give leniency to honor killings, the Institute for War & Peace Reporting reported on March 28.

According to the story, “Article 111 of the Iraqi penal code – passed in 1969 – allows a lesser punishment for the killing of women if the male defendants are found to have had “honorable motives.” Under the law, a man can receive a maximum of three years in prison if he immediately kills or disables his wife or girlfriend after witnessing her engaging in a sexual act with another man.”

Narmin Othman, the minister of state for women’s affairs, is spearheading a campaign to alter the law so that those charged with the crimes are tried as murderers. However, Othman has faced opposition, as some members of parliament believe that honor killings are legal under Sharia law. In defense, Othman has argued that recent killings have been for cultural, and not religious, purposes.

Currently, she has received support from 60 members of parliament.

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