HONOR KILLING RESULT OF ELOPEMENT IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, WHERE DO WE STAND TODAY? A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Honor killings resulting from elopement are a severe violation of human rights, often rooted in patriarchal cultural norms and exacerbated by insufficient legal protections. In societies where honor is considered a collective commodity, the act of a woman choosing her partner, particularly through elopement, challenges traditional gender roles and is met with violence in the form of honor killings. This article explores the intersection of cultural, legal, and feminist perspectives, examining the implications of honor killings as a violation of human rights. It critically analyzes Pakistan’s legal framework, particularly its historical reliance on Qisas and Diyat laws, which have perpetuated impunity for perpetrators of honor killings. The article also assesses the effectiveness of the 2016 Anti-Honor Killing legislation and highlights the gaps that remain. Furthermore, it examines the tension between international human rights obligations and the cultural defense of honor killings, asserting that cultural relativism cannot justify such violations. Through this study, the article proposes legislative reforms, judicial overhauls, and a redefinition of honor that aligns with human rights principles to protect individuals' rights to self-determination and freedom from violence.