Girl killed in acid attack for
looking at a boy, say parents: ‘It was her destiny to die this way, Published
on Monday November 05, 2012
The Associated Press
ISLAMABAD—A Pakistani couple accused of killing
their 15-year-old daughter by pouring acid on her carried out the attack
because she sullied the family’s honor by looking at a boy, the couple said in
an interview broadcast Monday by the BBC.
The girl’s death underlines the problem of
so-called “honor killings” in Pakistan where women are often killed for
marrying or having relationships not approved by their families or because they
are perceived to have somehow dishonored their family.
The girl’s parents, Mohammad Zafar and his wife
Zaheen, recounted the Oct. 29 incident from jail. The father said the girl had
turned to look at a boy who drove by on a motorcycle, and he told her it was
wrong.
“She said ‘I didn’t do it on purpose. I won’t look
again.’ By then I had already thrown the acid. It was her destiny to die this
way,” the girl’s mother told the British broadcaster.
Television footage of the couple showed them
standing behind bars in separate, but adjoining jail cells.
The father said the family had already come under
public censure because of their older daughter’s behavior, but he did not
detail what exactly he meant.
Pakistani officials initially said the attack
occurred because the girl supposedly had an affair with a boy.
According to the Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan, at least 943 women were killed in the name of honor last year. Only
20 of the women were reported to have been given medical care before they died,
the report said. The real toll is believed to be higher because many of the
crimes go unreported.
“Throughout the year, women were callously killed
in the name of honor when they went against family wishes in any way, or even
on the basis of suspicion that they did so. Women were sometimes killed in the
name of honor over property disputes and inheritance rights,” the report said.
My Husband was telling me of his travels and saying how he
learned of punishments that were carried out as well, for example, honour utilisation.
Oh this is just barbaric? Are these people born evil? Do they have no feelings
for their children/family members?
I mean, the so called man in the above story, what was he doing
just carrying acid around with him?
I understand peoples beliefs are different, so if anyone wants
to explain honour killings and utilisations to a perhaps ignorant westerner,
then please do so?
I just don’t like pain, or people getting hurt or killed,
as specially for showing love or
admiration?
We have a lovely family
in our neighbourhood, from Pakistan who are the most loving family and great neighbours, I can’t imagine
they would do such an impulsive punishment to their two sweet children? So it
can’t be their religion? So what is it?
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