Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN2603
2009-12-03 06:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
JORDAN: TWENTIETH REPORTED HONOR KILLING FOR 2009
how-toVZCZCXRO6097 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHAM #2603 3370643 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 030643Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6390 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
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
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
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