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LHC honour killing: Activists demand justice for slain woman

ISLAMABAD: The brutal murder of a pregnant 25 year-old woman by her family at the Lahore High Court on Tuesday infuriated civil society members, who assembled near the National Press Club and began chanting slogans against the federal and provincial governments. They were demanding the federal and provincial governments arrest the victim’s family members who were responsible for .. read more

Jasvinder Sanghera: Speaking out on Forced Marriage

I have just shared a platform with other campaigners speaking on injustice. I often feel quite alone on this journey, as one who has met with unpopularity, risk and been disowned by family. Today reminds me of how very wrong that sentiment is, as there are many people just like me. This experience is part .. read more

Pakistan’s slow but steady progress on ending child marriage

Law passed in Sindh province shows that despite religious opposition, steps taken to outlaw child marriage are taking effect Pakistani students sing songs during a lesson. Child marriage often spells an abrupt end to pupils’ education. Photograph: Nathalie Bardou/AP The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), one of Pakistan’s most influential religious and constitutional bodies, has announced .. read more

Child brides big issue in Africa

The case of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram is not unique. Millions of African girls are being forced into early marriage. Layalush Mersha, an Ethiopian woman in her 40s was married at the age of seven. “He slept with me at nine,” she told experts gathered for an African Union meeting on child marriage .. read more

Durham conference addresses South Asian family violence

DURHAM — This is the second in a two-part series about family violence in Durham’s South Asian community. Part one profiled a Pickering woman who was faced with the threat of forced marriage to a man she had never met. As Durham’s diversity increases rapidly — especially in the west-end communities of Ajax and Pickering .. read more

New legislation makes offence punishable by prison

New legislation making forced marriage a criminal offence has been welcomed by former Keighley MP Ann Cryer, who campaigned for many years on the issue. The law change means that from June 16, those found guilty of instigating a forced marriage could face up to seven years in prison. Mrs Cryer, who spoke out strongly .. read more

Feature: Forced marriages in East London

With perpetrators of forced marriages facing jail terms when the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 comes into effect next month, reporter Janine Rasiah speaks to a victim who has turned her life around and a Newham-based charity which supports those looking for help. Almost half of the women supported at Beverley Lewis House .. read more

Police begin forced marriage awareness campaign

West Yorkshire Police have launched a new campaign to raise awareness of Forced Marriage, which will officially become a crime next month. Under the new legislation, those found guilty of ‘Forced Marriage’ can face up to 7 years imprisonment. Officers are attending a road-show in Leeds today (27/05), led by the charity Karma Nirvana in .. read more

Pakistan arrests 4 suspects in ‘honour killing’

Pakistani police said on Friday that they have arrested four more people in connection with the killing of a pregnant woman who was beaten and stoned to death by her family for marrying without their permission. The police arrested the four men late on Thursday from their village in the Nankana district, said Nayab Haider .. read more

Pillay urges Government action after “honour” killing of pregnant woman in Pakistan

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of a 25-year-old pregnant woman, stoned to death by her family as she approached a Pakistani court on Tuesday, and urged the Government of Pakistan to do much more to prevent such killings. “I am deeply shocked by the death of .. read more