Banaz: A Love Story
A version of this story, edited by Lys Anzia of the Women News Network, was published on their website:
In south London, 2006, 20-year old Banaz Mahmod’s uncles and cousins burst into her house early in the morning. They woke her by raping and beating by her for several hours, with the consent and approval of her immediate family. Then they murdered her in a slow and gruesome manner. Her parents removed all pictures of her from the house. Years later, they refused to cooperate with police investigations.
The Honour Based Violence Awareness Network estimates that 5000 honour killings are committed around the world every year.
