Filming Honour Killing

Deeyah: Talking about Honour Killings

Chris Crowstaff talked to musician and human rights activist, Deeyah, founder of Memini - a site dedicated to vitims of Honour Killings.

Deeyah: Pop Star to Activist

Deeyah - Pop Star to Activist

Deeyah is a critically acclaimed singer and composer from Norway - first hitting the headlines as a child - and is now a prize winning human rights activist.

Deeyah was born in Norway to Muslim immigrant parents of Punjabi and Pashtun descent. Her success was a mixed blessing. The Norwegian media initially heralded Deeyah as an example of their new multi-cultural society. However, many in the Muslim community did not view her success in a positive light. Deeyah became the subject of threats, controversy and abuse.

Together with Freemuse, Deeyah co-produced the CD, 'Listen to the Banned', which features artists who have suffered censorship, persecution and even imprisonment.

Chris Crowstaff asked Deeyah about her life, successes and the challenges which led to her current activist work.

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Memini

MEMINI: No Honour in Killing

Memini is an online site of remembrance for the known and unknown victims of honour killings.

Honour Killings are collective and premeditated murders intended to restore the social cache and family honour. These killings occur in societies where the control of women’s behaviour is the factor at the forefront of defining the standing of men among their peers.

Killed for choosing their own path

The sexual behaviour and expression of independence from the collective can lead to the family reputation becoming tarnished. Women can become targets of honour based violence for exercising their right to choose their own life partner, career or even how they dress. The very core of the concept is basic, it is the control of women and their behaviour, if they transgress they will be punished, honour killings being the ultimate price a young woman pays and it is the ultimate betrayal by a family of their own child.

Over 5,000 killings a year

Today honour killings are seen across religious communities and are not limited to one group only. The oppression and violence against women in the name of honour, culture or religion is rife around the world in strictly patriarchal societies and communities. Honour killings take over 5000 lives a year.

The perpetrator of this crime’s goal is to erase the lives of their victims. To erase their presence. To completely remove the “stain” of their existence from this earth.

MEMINI is remembrance

The Memini project and website is run by volunteers. It is an ongoing project.

If you have any information you about honor-killings please get in contact. They are also looking for photos, video and stories of any of the women featured on the site