Jordan debates stiffer sentences for 'crimes of honor'

Young Jordanian women missed a day of school to join the protest urging lawmakers to stiffen penalties against 'crimes of honor'

From staff and wire reports

February 14, 2000
Web posted at: 11:51 p.m. EST (0451 GMT)

AMMAN, Jordan (CNN) -- Thousands of Jordanians -- including members of the country's ruling family -- are urging the country's lawmakers to stiffen the lenient penalties handed down to killers who claim a family's honor was at stake.

Demonstrations on Monday marked the loudest outcry yet against what protesters in Jordan call "crimes of honor." At least 20 Jordanian women are killed each year for simply talking to a man, dating or having sex outside of marriage. Officials here say more than 90 percent of the victims had not been involved in any sexual activity.

Being raped also can be seen as disgracing the family.

Jordanian law gives lenient penalties to those who kill their female relatives under those circumstances. The killers in such cases can be jailed for only one year.

VIDEO CNN's Rula Amin looks at women's fight against laws that tolerate killings by male relatives. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     MESSAGE BOARD Crimes of honor

Monday's rally and march in Amman drew more men than women, including Prince Ali, the brother of Jordan's King Abdullah II, and Prince Ghazi, the king's cousin.

Twice before, Jordan's all-male lower house of parliament has turned down attempts to amend the law. But the momentum for change is growing with a new, young king who seems to be willing to go against the wind in a society where tribalism and tradition remain strong.

But not all who attended agreed with the draft legislation under debate. For some, changing the law is a Western conspiracy, and they accuse the government of succumbing to international pressure.

Monday's rally against traditional 'crimes of honor' in Jordan drew more men than women protesters

Abdul-Karim Hwietat, 41, a local government official, said he came to the rally to show his opposition to the proposal.

"Changing the law allows the West to infiltrate into our society and make us forget our values and Muslim traditions," he said.

Supporters dismissed the claim.

"This is not a conspiracy coming from the outside," Amman City Councilwoman Muna Issa said. "This is a conspiracy coming from the inside of Jordan, from the heart of the people of Jordan."

Others who watched agreed with the marchers -- up to a point.

"A killer should be punished," said Firas Amoush, a 19-year-old man watching the rally. "But if this is all about women having all the freedom to do whatever, then it's a no."

Correspondent Rula Amin and Reuters contributed to this report.

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