An 'honour crime' is defined as a man killing his wife, daughter, sister or mother for the mere suspicion that she has committed adultery or had pre-marital sexual relations, in order to protect or cleanse "a family's honour" (DPA 15 July 2001; Aljazeera 15 Oct. 2003; lawyer Feb. 2004). Every month in Lebanon, at least one woman dies in an "honour killing" (BBC 13 May 2001). Some sources noted that "the real figures are much higher but are difficult to estimate because the killings are often disguised as accidents" (ibid.), and there was reportedly "an average of two to three cases of honour crimes each month" (Country Reports 2002 31 Mar. 2003, Sec. 5).

Most deaths linked to honour crimes are not reported to the police and are covered up by the family as suicides or accidents (lawyer Feb. 2004). The shame brought upon a family should the socially [translation] "unacceptable" behaviour of the woman killed ever be discovered, as well as the will to protect the killer from potential legal repercussions, lead to the silencing of many honour killings (ibid.). The victims of this type of crime are always women, and the killers are always men (DPA 15 July 2001). Of the 36 honour crimes committed between 1995 and 1998 (ibid.; lawyer Feb. 2004), 22 were committed by brothers, 7 by husbands, 6 by fathers, and 1 by a son (DPA 15 July 2001).

Men found guilty of these crimes generally receive reduced sentences (Aljazeera 15 Oct. 2003; AI 2003; BBC 13 May 2001; AFP 9 Jan. 2003). In fact, "[m]en convicted of so-called honor crimes against women are seldomly [sic] punished severely" (Freedom House 2003; see also AI 2003; lawyer Feb. 2004). Because killers are aware of the lenient sentences for honour crimes, they can cover up murders by making them look like honour killings (DPA 15 July 2001). Though the Aljazeera information network stated that these crimes are relatively rare in Lebanon (Aljazeera 15 Oct. 2003), other sources indicated they are currently on the rise (AI 2003; DPA 15 July 2001).

In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate on 18 February 2004, a political science professor from the American University of Beirut provided the following information about single Christian mothers. Single mothers [translation] "are not tolerated by Lebanese society." In the same correspondence, he also stated that [translation] "people with different socio-economic backgrounds have a variety of opinions on pre-marital sexual relations, but that a woman who raises her child outside of marriage is unlikely to be accepted in Lebanese society." The professor also stated that he would not exclude the possibility that a woman raising her child alone could be the victim of an honour crime. According to him, the Lebanese government provides absolutely no protection to single mothers. Country Reports 2002 pointed out that, in Lebanon, "complaints of battered or abused women are often ignored by police" (31 Mar. 2003, Sec. 5). In general, when an honour crime is reported to the police, they do not investigate the complaint because of a lack of evidence or because they do not want to get involved in a "private family matter" (lawyer Feb. 2004). Furthermore, the perpetrator of the crime "benefits from the consent of the society" (ibid.).

A lawyer who specializes in honour crimes provided the following information in correspondence she sent to the Research Directorate on 19 February 2004. With regard to the risks incurred by a single Christian mother, the lawyer stated that

[translation]

Lebanon is made up of many heterogeneous communities and societies, and there are many very different mindsets throughout the country. One can therefore find tribal communities that have very strict laws on a woman's virginity . . . but there is also-particularly among Lebanese Christians-a very open mentality that indulges and even permits common-law relationships. One would also have to take into consideration that a woman's age and financial situation play a large role in determining the risks she faces. A woman of 40 or even 35 years may be spared, as well as a divorced woman.

With regard to the protection available from the government or other organizations to potential female victims of violence, the lawyer is of the opinion that [translation] "no protection is offered at any level. If she is going to be killed, nothing will protect her."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 9 January 2003. "Crime d'honneur : un homme égorge sa fille soupçonnée d'être enceinte." (NEXIS)

Aljazeera.Net. 15 October 2003. "Lebanese Man in 'Honour Killing'." http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E1615A68-C794-4B04-9FDF-4A6FE6570D63.htm [Accessed 17 Feb. 2004]

American University of Beirut, Lebanon. 18 February 2004. Correspondence sent by a professor of political science.

Amnesty International (AI), London. 2003. "Lebanon." Amnesty International Report 2003. http://web.amnesty.org/report2003/lbn-summary-eng [Accessed 17 Feb. 2004]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 13 May 2001. "Beirut Hosts 'Honour Killing' Conference." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1328238.stm [Accessed 17 Feb. 2004]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002. 31 March 2003. United States Department of State, Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18281.htm [Accessed 17 Feb. 2004]

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 15 July 2001. "Lebanon Grapples with the Problem of 'Honour Crimes'." (NEXIS)

Freedom House. 2003. "Lebanon." Freedom of the World 2003. http://www.freedomhouse.org/research/freeworld/2003/countryratings/lebanon.htm [Accessed 17 Feb. 2004]

Lawyer, Beirut. 19 February 2004. Correspondence.

_____. February 2004. "Honor Crimes: A Jurisprudential Study." Document attached to correspondence.

United Press International (UPI). 15 May 2001. "Lebanon Urged to Punish Adulterers Equally." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World

IRB Databases

League of Lebanese Women's Rights

The Lebanese Council to Resist Violence Against Women

The Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering

Lebanese Women's Association

National Council of Lebanese Women

L'Orient-Le Jour

Internet sites, including:

Human Rights Watch

Le Monde

Search engine:

Google