MOSCOW, November 19 (Sputnik) — Relatives of a Pakistani woman, who was attacked and killed while pregnant, have been sentenced to death by a Pakistani court, according to Reuters.
25-year-old Farzana Perveen was beaten to death by family members who objected to her marriage. The attackers included her father and brother as well as other male relatives who had previously filed a case at the Lahore High Court, claiming that Farzana was abducted by a stranger, according to the New Zealand Herald. The execution took place in May 2014 directly outside the courthouse before the hearing was due to take place. Farzana’s husband asked for help while his wife was beaten with stones by her relatives, but the nearby police ignored his pleas, Reuters reported.
“Honor executions” are a common practice in Pakistan and usually don’t attract much attention. Women who don’t comply with the strict social traditions of the country can become victims of homicide. Their families are not willing to accept their “inappropriate” choice and view killing as a way to restore “family honor”.
However, Farzana’s case caused uproar across the country as her execution took place on a crowded street near the court building where she came in the hope of assistance. The court convicted three of the attackers, including her father, of murder, handing down a death sentence and a $1,000 fine. A fourth attacker was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Pakistan is one of the top countries worldwide in terms of violence against women. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, in 2013 about 869 women were murdered in honor killings.
