For two decades, Bekhal Mahmod has lived in hiding, under a new identity, separated from her Iraqi-Kurdish family. Her life was irrevocably altered by the 2007 “honour”-based murder of her sister, Banaz Mahmod, and her subsequent testimony in the trial of her father and uncle.
A Legacy of Fear and a Fight for Justice
Banaz Mahmod, 20 years old at the time of her death, had left an arranged marriage and sought to build a life with another man. She reported experiencing violence and threats to the police, but her concerns were reportedly dismissed by a female officer as “manipulative and melodramatic.” This month marks the 20th anniversary of Banaz’s killing.
Bekhal Mahmod’s experience underscores the profound and lasting impact of “honour”-based violence. “I’m always looking over my shoulder. I’m never going to let my guard down,” she said, adding that even everyday words like “Iraq” can trigger immediate fear.
The Push for “Banaz’s Law”
After years of advocacy, Bekhal is now focused on securing the adoption of “Banaz’s law” in the UK. The proposals aim to create a statutory definition of “honour”-based abuse, developed with input from survivors, to improve identification of abuse, empower victims, and ensure perpetrators face justice.
Peers recently introduced amendments to the crime and policing bill, urging the government to consider the proposals. While the government has indicated it will review them, concerns remain about potential setbacks.
Bekhal fears that the current climate of debate surrounding migration in the UK could discourage other victims of “honour”-based abuse from coming forward. She recalls a time in the 2000s, amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment and the growth of the British National party, when she feared authorities would not take her seriously, viewing her simply as an immigrant straining public resources.
Sanskriti Sanghi, a campaigns manager at Southall Black Sisters (SBS), emphasizes that framing migration as the primary threat to women’s safety is “damaging.” She notes that violence against women and girls is being exploited to advance racist and anti-migrant agendas, eroding trust in the system and obscuring the fact that perpetrators come from all ethnicities.
SBS is also advocating for expanded protections for migrant women experiencing domestic abuse, seeking to remove the “impossible choice” between remaining in abusive situations and facing destitution or deportation.
In a recent debate in the House of Lords, concerns were raised about systemic failures to identify and respond to “honour”-based abuse. A justice minister acknowledged the need for further discussion but stopped short of committing to a specific timeline or legislative vehicle for the proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Banaz’s Law”?
“Banaz’s Law” refers to proposals to create a statutory definition of “honour”-based abuse, informed by survivors, to improve identification of abuse, empower victims, and ensure perpetrators face justice.
What concerns does Bekhal Mahmod have about the current political climate?
Bekhal Mahmod fears that the current debate surrounding migration in the UK could deter victims of “honour”-based abuse from coming forward, as they may fear not being taken seriously by authorities.
What is Southall Black Sisters’ position on the issue?
Southall Black Sisters (SBS) is advocating for “Banaz’s Law” and for the extension of protections for migrant women experiencing domestic abuse, arguing that framing migration as the primary threat to women’s safety is damaging.
Will the government adopt “Banaz’s Law,” and what impact could that have on the support available to victims of “honour”-based abuse?
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