In response to the rising number of honor killings in Afghanistan and the alarming silence of society and responsible institutions, the Afghanistan Women’s Justice Movement held a specialized and international online meeting with the participation of researchers, human rights activists, lawyers, psychologists, and experts. The goal of this meeting was to analyze the root causes of honor-based violence and propose practical solutions to combat it.
Speakers at the meeting emphasized that honor killings are not merely individual crimes but rather manifestations of structural violence against women. They stressed that this phenomenon continues to thrive in the absence of law, structural injustice, cultural legitimacy, and social silence.
Mazda Mehregan: Language, the Pillar of Hidden Violence
Ms. Mazda Mehregan, a poet and social analyst, based on Jacques Lacan’s theory of language, examined the fundamental role of language in reproducing gender stereotypes and perpetuating violence against women. She stated:
“Language is not merely a tool for reflecting societal realities; it also shapes human thoughts and thinking. The human unconscious structure is similar to language.”
Mehregan emphasized that cultural applications of language, including proverbs and colloquial expressions, often reproduce patriarchal mentalities in society, contributing to the reinforcement of honor-based ideologies.
She further added: “We must recognize the importance of language in shaping patriarchal thinking and become aware to stop the cycle of reproducing anti-women literature, which leads to the continuation of honor-based violence and killings.”
Helen Farman: Honor Killing as a Social Warning Tool
Dr. Helen Farman, a research medical specialist, focused her speech on critiquing the patriarchal structure and introducing types of masculinity. She stated:
“Honor killings are not merely femicides; they carry a specific social message. Some media outlets label these murders as femicides, which is inaccurate; honor killings carry a unique message: they warn women and threaten other men.”
She explained that traditional and nostalgic masculinity views men as protectors and guardians of honor, which legitimizes violence. According to Farman:
“Nostalgic masculinity is a concept where men, as guardians of honor, are responsible for controlling and monitoring women’s sexual behavior. This view not only legitimizes violence but also denies women ownership over their bodies.”
She emphasized the importance of demystifying key patriarchal concepts to combat honor-based violence:
“The need to desacralize patriarchal keywords, delegitimize the term ‘honor-bound,’ and the importance of male participation in fighting violence against women is crucial.”
Dr. Ghulam-Hyder Allama: The Law, a Supporter of Killers
Dr. Ghulam-Hyder Allama, a law and criminology professor, provided a four-fold legal, criminological, human rights, and religious perspective:
“From an Islamic perspective, honor killings have no religious justification.”
Legally, he referred to Article 630 of the Iranian law and Article 398 of Afghanistan’s Penal Code (later abolished), stating that these provisions practically allow killers to escape punishment, adding:
“In such systems, criminal justice is called into question, and victims are not only unsupported but forgotten.”
Dr. Allama emphasized international human rights documents, noting:
“Human rights mechanisms explicitly condemn these types of murders, but the lack of political will in countries like Afghanistan and Iran has marginalized justice.”
Dr. Batool Heydari: A Silent Society, Institutionalized Crime
Dr. Batool Heydari, a psychologist, expressed concern over the social indifference to honor killings, stating:
“Honor killers not only remain hidden but often take pride in their actions. Families also support them.”
She added:
“These murders not only cause severe psychological harm to society but are met with public silence. In contrast, if a common femicide occurs, the reaction is much stronger.”
She attributed this silence to the lack of family education and emphasized:
“We lack conflict resolution skills, and systems have failed to fulfill their responsibility to educate.”
Sosan Rakhsh: Discriminatory Laws, Tools of Women’s Suppression
Sosan Rakhsh, a social researcher, examined the unjust laws in Iran, stating:
“Articles 630 and 261 of Iranian law are terrifying examples of laws designed against women.”
She proposed practical solutions, saying:
“We must fight against these oppressive laws through media and the international community. Raising awareness, women’s solidarity, registering the names of victims, and exposing governments that violate human rights are essential steps.”
She also referred to misinterpretations of religious teachings, adding:
“Misinterpretations of Islam have contributed to the reinforcement of violence.”
Saima Soltani: Control over Women’s Bodies, a Global Structure of Violence
Saiema Sultani, a women’s rights activist, stated:
“When we talk about honor killings, we must emphasize their criminal nature, as in many societies these murders are not considered crimes but are presented as a way to restore men’s honor.”
She added:
“Control over women’s bodies is a global phenomenon, but in traditional societies, this control is exercised openly and violently. The main reason for these murders is the male sense of dominance and the societal pressure to maintain it.”
She explained:
“In honor killings, the killer stages the scene to enjoy their action; it’s a mix of madness, torture, and pleasure.” She emphasized:
“I oppose attributing honor killings to culture because culture is part of the power structure, and as long as the structure doesn’t change, culture won’t transform either.”
Mazdak: Education, the Seed of Resistance against Domination
Mazdak, a civil activist, emphasized the need to respect individual freedoms, stating:
“We must listen to each other’s thoughts and respect individuals’ personal decisions. It is unwise to intervene in people’s private lives.”
He said:
“Instead of focusing solely on cultural issues, we need to organize social forces. This begins with educating women to resist power structures.”
Mazdak warned against religious misinterpretations, adding:
“Different interpretations of religions are one of the social poisons that justify violence like honor killings.”
Conclusion:
The specialized meeting on “Honor Killings in Afghanistan: A Structural Violence in the Absence of Justice” highlighted that combating honor killings and violence against women requires fundamental changes in cultural, social, and legal structures. Speakers emphasized the crucial role of language in shaping patriarchal thinking and called for special attention to prevent the reproduction of anti-women narratives.
In this context, the need for desacralizing patriarchal keywords and delegitimizing terms like “honor-bound” to break the cycle of violence and honor killings, particularly within families and society, was discussed. Active male participation in the fight against violence and educating society about women’s ownership and control over their bodies and sexual behavior were also identified as key factors in changing the situation.
The speakers further emphasized that honor killings are not merely individual crimes but continue systematically as a social and cultural phenomenon in an environment devoid of justice and law. Therefore, addressing this issue requires legal reforms and changes in judicial systems, alongside public awareness and education efforts.
This meeting marks a starting point for fighting systemic violence against women and a step toward achieving justice and equality for women.