Honor killing
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The term "honor killing", also called a shame killing, refers to murder that is committed, typically by members of the victim's family, with the motivation of preserving or recovering the "honor" that the victim is perceived as having violated or lost as a result of their actions, which may be a source of shame in their society. Most cases of honor killings involve femicide, and they are likewise a frequent manifestation of violence against women in regions of the world where there are traditional or legal norms that greatly restrict women's rights and freedoms.
Conformity to certain moral standards in a community normally implies different behavior for both men and women, particularly with regard to stricter standards for women's sexual freedoms. In many families, the "family honor" motive is used by men as a pretext to enforce the restriction of women's rights, and honor killings are performed in communities with the intent to punish violations of social, sexual, religious, or general familial norms or hierarchies. Communities in which honor killings occur impose social rejection and social exclusion on dishonored families, with the only way to save face being to kill whoever brought the dishonor upon the family.
While the behaviors and actions that lead to honor killings can vary by the established societal norms of a region, they are most often choices of an intimate nature, such as refusing to enter into an arranged or forced marriage; seeking a divorce or marital separation; or engaging in premarital or extramarital sex. However, several non-intimate personal choices may also result in honor killings as well, such as converting to another religion; associating with others outside of one's caste; or dressing in a way that is regarded as diverging from sexual norm (e.g., a man wearing women's clothing) in the community. Furthermore, it is also common for people to be targeted for honor killings if they become victims of rape or sexual assault; or for not identifying as heterosexual.
Although these murders are condemned by international conventions, including by legally binding documents like the Istanbul Convention, and by human rights organizations globally, they remain widespread and several religious and cultural communities continue to justify and encourage them in areas where they exercise influence. Honor killings are primarily associated with the Middle East and North Africa and South Asia, but they are also present in a number of other regions, such as the Philippines, East Africa, Chechnya, Latin America, and historically in Mediterranean Europe. Accordingly, they are also prevalent in the respective diasporas of groups in countries that do not otherwise have societal norms that encourage honor killings. Honor killings are often associated with rural and tribal areas, but they occur in urban areas as well.