JORDAN: TWENTIETH REPORTED HONOR KILLING FOR 2009

UNCLAS AMMAN 002603 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN KJUS JO SUBJECT: JORDAN: TWENTIETH REPORTED HONOR KILLING FOR 2009 REF: A. AMMAN 2578 ¶B. AMMAN 2324 ¶1. (U) The latest honor killing in Jordan occurred on November 29 when a 19-year-old girl was repeatedly shot and ultimately killed by her uncle. The perpetrator told police that the victim had been missing for two weeks. When found with a man, she was brought home to be confronted by her family about her disappearance. Sources stated the uncle drew a gun and started shooting during this heated confrontation. Despite the uncle's claim of acting in a moment of rage, the public prosecutor has charged the uncle with premeditated murder. (Note: Two years ago, the victim sought assistance from the Public Security Department's Family Protection Department after being the victim of a sexual assault. End Note) ¶2. (SBU) Comment: This honor crime brings the yearly reported total to 20. While this represents a slight increase over the 2008 total of 18, the annual number of killings has remained in the 15-25 range for the past two decades. Jordan has taken steps recently to strengthen the prosecution of honor crime cases, including the establishment of an honor crimes tribunal. The tribunal's first ruling set precedent by handing down a 15-year sentence without giving any form of leniency to the perpetrator. ¶3. (SBU) What is clear, however, is that stronger honor crime sentences alone will not have an immediate, short-term impact on the number of killings. Activists are not disheartened by the recent killing and are guardedly optimistic that the number of crimes will start to decrease over the medium-term. Increased reporting by local Arabic press, increased support of religious and other public figures, and a perceived shift of public attitudes, even if slight and in only some quarters, are cited as reasons for the guarded optimism. The recent murders once again, however, show the fight against honor crimes will be a long-term battle in Jordan. End Comment. Mandel