A tragedy in far off land, but for some reason I found it relevant...

[kenneth chang]

This is probably the extreme example of the tragedies that face "1.5" generations everywhere.

I wonder how many kids were physically, emotionally or otherwise abused by their parents

in the name of tradition, culture, religion and family honor.

From BBC News.

*****************************************

 

Father jailed for 'honour killing'

Heshu Yones was repeatedly stabbed by her own father

A Kurdish Muslim who cut his daughter's throat after learning she was having a relationship with a Christian has been jailed for life.

The Old Bailey heard Abdalla Yones, 48, murdered 16-year-old Heshu at their home, in Acton, west London, on 12 October 2002 because he feared she was becoming westernised.

He pleaded for the court to pass the death sentence on him for his "appalling" crime after he tried to take his own life.

Heshu, who was described as popular and fun-loving, planned to run away from home after starting a relationship with an 18-year-old Lebanese teacher.

In a letter to her parents, apparently showing she planned to run away, Heshu wrote: "Bye Dad, sorry I was so much trouble.

Violence in the name of culture will not be tolerated Detective Inspector Brent Hyatt Click to watch police news conference

"Me and you will probably never understand each other, but I'm sorry I wasn't what you wanted, but there's some things you can't change.

"Hey, for an older man you have a good strong punch and kick.

"I hope you enjoyed testing your strength on me, it was fun being on the receiving end. Well done."

Yones was a political refugee who fled Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq 10 years ago.

Cut his throat

The court heard that after repeatedly stabbing his daughter and slitting her throat, he cut his own throat and jumped from a third floor balcony.

Scotland Yard described it as a "brutal honour killing" - a reference to the practice of women being killed by male relatives to redeem the family name.

Heshu's father Abdalla cut his own throat after killing his daughter

Detective Inspector Brent Hyatt said: "There was nothing, nothing at all 'honourable' about her murder.

"After hacking his daughter to death, Mr Yones has attempted every defence, from psychiatric, and diminished responsibility to extreme provocation, in order to save his own skin."

He added that Yones first claimed al-Qaeda members had broken into the flat, murdered Heshu and then attacked him. He only admitted murdering her last Monday.

Yones's counsel, Icah Peart QC, said his client wanted to be sentenced to death.

Judge Neil Denison said Yones had tried to commit suicide twice but told him he would pass the only sentence he could for murder - life imprisonment.

This is, on any view, a tragic story arising out of irreconcilable cultural differences between traditional Kurdish values and the values of western society Judge Neil Denison UK Muslims condemn 'honour killings'

He added: "This is, on any view, a tragic story arising out of irreconcilable cultural differences between traditional Kurdish values and the values of western society."

But Scotland Yard warned the sentence should be a warning to those who condone or stay silent about the mistreatment of women in their communities.

Commander Andy Baker added: "Violence in the name of culture will not be tolerated. Murder in the name of honour will be punished by the severest penalties available in law."

Scotland Yard believe there were 12 'honour killings' in the UK last year and said they were not restricted to Muslims, but also occurred in Sikh and Christian families.

A specialist police unit is researching the practice but police say only a handful of people believed 'honour killings' were an appropriate cultural response.

Mr Baker said people who had tried to shield Abdalla Yones from police could now be investigated on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

"We are completely satisfied that some members of the community, or his friends, tried to assist him in that cover-up," he said.

"It's not about one person committing the murder, it's about the few that acknowledge it and support it and are involved in it."

See the original news source...BBC News Monday September 29, 2003

[smiley]

Many similar cases are still happening in Islamic countries. Victims are mostly helpless women, and their brothers or even fathers brutally muder their own blood under the name of family honor or religion. Moreover, men who committed such a horrible crime are not seriously punished. What a shame!!

[mickeyjane]

When will such violence against women end? This kind of story makes my blood boil.

[David36]

It's a real tragedy..It's kinda mental and also it's sort of disease...only found in us, the human being.

[kenneth chang]

I found the daughter's letter to her abusive dad to be very poignant... I don't mean to detract from the tragedy of the content, but I also noticed that four people who read the same story saw it from different angles. Of course they are all valid angles, but different.... My posting touched on..

[kenneth chang]

the immigrant/cultural clash issue. Smiley's showed the Islamic/religious issue. Mickeyjane saw the gender issue. David reflected upon the human nature in general... Thanks guys for allowing me to see it from different perspectives.

[smiley]

I feel as if you're criticizing student's report. h h.. It's a really sharp analysis, professor Chang!

[David36]

That's to the point. I didn't notice that...

[kenneth chang]

Sorry everyone if I sounded presumptuous and pedantic. I did not intent to be critical of anyone, constructively or otherwise. I certainly did not intend to patronize anyone. I apologize if I came across that way.

[summer]

Dear Ken, you are certainly not pedantic nor presumptuous. I think it's wonderful that you have the keen sense of analytical thinking ability. You are never pretentious!

[smiley]

Hi Ken, I didn't mean feeling you down at all. I just did a joke for your brilliant idea that i could never think about. I simply admired your great sense of analysis like summer said. Sorry if I made u uncomfortable.

[mickeyjane]

Kenneth, you do not have to apologize to me at least. Actually it was fascinating for me to see how one’s interest dictates his/her perspectives, too. By the way, what do you go by here?

[kenneth chang]

I see that I have been unnecessarily defensive. I know that I can be pedantic (or arrogant for that matter) at times. I know them to be my fault. Perhaps that is why I am more defensive about that...^^ Sorry, thanks, sorry....^^ By the way, Mickeyjane, I go by Ken, here and elsewhere...^^ Thanks.