Honour killing is simply murder

The death of Qandeel Baloch reminds us of a tribal practice that needs to be questioned

The late Pakistani fashion model Qandeel Baloch speaks during a press conference in Lahore. M. Jameel / AP Photo

The strangling of Pakistani social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch by her brother once again highlights the issue of “honour killing”, which claims many lives in Pakistan every year. Despite the vicious attack, Waseem Baloch told the media that he was not ashamed and had no regrets because she deserved it “for dishonouring the Baloch name”.

It’s important to unravel the context of this case. The behaviour of Ms Baloch, who was dubbed “Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian”, was questionable, particularly in a largely conservative society such as Pakistan’s. In a collective or tribal society, it is believed that the actions of an individual can affect the group and cause serious harm. The stigma of having what is perceived as a shameful relation would cause a family to be shunned by society.

However, no matter how controversial Ms Baloch was, that does not justify killing her. Along with some of its neighbours in South Asia that also live by similar tribal rules, Pakistan has to address these events as criminal offences.

This could involve reinterpreting the systems of diyya (blood money) and qisas (retaliation), which allow family members to decide on such matters.

The other underlying issue here is women’s rights. Ms Baloch was known to be bold in her defiance of the prevailing patriarchy in Pakistan, which made her a target for some ultraconservatives. It’s all too common for women to be harassed or face violence because of their gender. They are not as free to choose their lifestyle as men.

The use of language is very important in sensitive cases such as this. Calling it an “honour killing” implies some justification for a premeditated murder and, perhaps, continues to normalise it in the minds of some people in places where this practice is prevalent.

While Qandeel Baloch may have overstepped the bounds of acceptable behaviour in her community, that is no excuse for the extrajudicial murder carried out by her brother.