Customs and cultural traditions are not necessarily left behind when a person or a family immigrates to a new nation. In Pakistan and in other countries around the world arranged marriages are the norm. And so the daughter of a Pakistani family who lived in Georgia was betrothed and married to a man selected by her father.
Apparently the daughter was unhappy in the marriage and planned to seek a divorce. In her father's eyes this would bring dishonor to the family. According to newspaper reports the father confessed to strangling the daughter in what is called an honor killing.
He was brought to court to hear the charges read, but the judge questioned his understanding of what was being said. So he will return to court tomorrow when a translator will be available.
You can read more about this on the Fox News web site. Honor killings are showing up in Western societies because of the increase in immigration from countries where this practice is acceptable. It is important to note that while Pakistan as a nation condemns honor killings, it is still acceptable in areas where tribal law is the norm.
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1 comment:
This is a textbook example of the entire concept of crime. Many people do not grasp the concept that there is no such thing as an inherently criminal act. Geography is an important factor. What is a crime in one place might not be a crime somewhere else. The thought of a man killing his own daughter for ANY reason is unthinkable in most places in the world, but the fact remains that such an abhorrent act is only a crime in places where there are written laws against it.
The geographical location aspect comes into obvious play here. Other than in exceptional cases (e.g. diplomatic immunity), I believe the law usually takes a "when in Rome" approach. In other words, the fact that this father's actions would have been legal in his homeland will (or should) have very little to do with the way this case is handled by Georgia authorities. In Pakistan, it is an honor killing. In Georgia, it is First Degree Murder. The only difference that I can perhaps see happening is a sentencing consideration.
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