Ref: 36/2012
Date: 25 March 2012
Time: 11:00 GMT

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the murder of K. K. by her relatives in Khan Yunis refugee camp on Friday, 23 March 2012, on the ground of the so-called “family honor.” PCHR calls for bringing the perpetrators before justice, and taking necessary legal steps to stop such crimes.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 21:00 on Thursday, 22 March 2012, K. K., 22, from Khan Yunis refugee camp, was admitted into Nasser Hospital in a very critical condition because of having had a poisonous material, allegedly when she attempted suicide. She was placed in the intensive care unit and her condition relatively improved. At approximately 01:30 on Friday, 23 March 2012, a relative of her arrived at the intensive care unit. The doctor on duty informed him that her condition improved. The relative pointed a pistol attempting to kill her. When the doctor and a nurse attempted to stop him, he threatened to shoot them. Soon after, he shot the woman in the head, and she immediately died. The murderer turned himself in to the police.

According to police sources, the suspect and one of the victim’s brothers, have been detained, and investigations are ongoing.

PCHR expresses utmost concern over this crime, and calls for taking necessary measures to stop such crimes. The year 2011 witnessed a positive development with regard to efforts to stop violence against women, especially murdered motivated by “family honor.” On 15 May 2011, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree with the power of law annulling leniency in sentences against perpetrators of murders related to “family honor.”

PCHR hopes that this decree would be a step towards the elimination of these crimes, as those who commit these crimes enjoyed the immunity granted to them through the issuing of eased sentences against them (maximum of 24 months imprisonment). As a result, this phenomenon has been prevalent in the Palestinian society and has resulted in opening the door for undermining the principle of the rule of law.

PCHR strongly condemns this crime and:

1. Calls for serious investigations into the death of M. A. and for bringing the perpetrators before justice;
2. Calls for prosecuting perpetrators of “family honor” murders. These murders must be dealt with in the same manner as other crimes of willful killing, taking into consideration international human rights standards;
3. Is shocked by the fact that an armed person entered the intensive care unit in a hospital without being stopped, and calls upon the police to take necessary measures to ensure the non-recurrence of such incidents.