VZCZCXRO7237
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHAM #1884/01 2321356
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201356Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5779
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0086
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 0371

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001884 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN KJUS PREL KMPI JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: HONOR CRIMES 101 
 
REF: A. AMMAN 1821 
     ¶B. AMMAN 1674 
     ¶C. AMMAN 1673 
     ¶D. AMMAN 1618 
     ¶E. AMMAN 1558 
     ¶F. AMMAN 1509 
     ¶G. AMMAN 1318 
     ¶H. AMMAN 471 
     ¶I. 08 AMMAN 3280 
     ¶J. 08 AMMAN 3123 
     ¶K. 03 AMMAN 6027 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) This cable serves as an overview of honor crimes in 
Jordan, Post efforts to address the issue, and an analysis of 
the Jordanian establishment's response to the problem.  More 
detailed reporting has been provided by post in reftels.  End 
Summary. 
 
Defining Honor Crimes 
--------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Activists and journalists characterize honor crimes 
as the murder of women committed by brothers, fathers, or 
other male family members who kill to "cleanse their family's 
honor."  In recent months, "justifications" for murder have 
ranged from seeing the victim wearing makeup, being told the 
victim was talking to a man, or the victim's absence from 
home for several hours to allegations of infidelity or 
premarital sexual relations.  In some instances, neighborhood 
rumors are enough to prompt the killings. There is little 
opportunity for the accused to refute slurs against her 
reputation. 
 
2009 Statistics Comparable to Previous Years 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) There have been sixteen reported honor crimes in 
Jordan from January - August 2009.  (Note: Activists feel 
that the number is likely higher as many honor crimes go 
unreported in rural areas or are reported as suicides or 
accidents.  They acknowledge, however, that reporting has 
improved in recent years.  End Note.)  It is troubling that 
the number of these murders is holding steady, rather than 
decreasing in light of increased public awareness.  There 
were a total of eighteen reported honor crimes in 2008, with 
the number ranging from 15 to 25 killings per year over the 
past decade. 
 
¶4. (SBU)  Jordanians as a whole, even the most ardent critics 
of honor crimes, believe that the problem is likely much 
worse in other countries in the region but that the media's 
freedom to cover each murder and public awareness campaigns 
mean that the spotlight is often on Jordan.  However, 
activists contend, "Each and every murder should be 
publicized.  Jordan should not be excused." 
 
Post Efforts to Combat Honor Crimes 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Post has actively engaged a wide range of government 
and societal leaders on the need to prevent and appropriately 
punish honor crimes.  The Ambassador has personally raised 
each new honor crime and every lenient sentence with the 
Chief of the Royal Court and has repeatedly raised the need 
for action with the Minister of Justice, Prime Minister, and 
Foreign Minister.  Additionally, post has: 
 
--Reached out to all levels of government to promote Penal 
Code amendments strengthening judicial sentencing guidelines. 
 Though an amendment was introduced to Parliament to increase 
the minimum sentence for honor crimes to at least three 
years, tribal representatives and other conservatives 
continue to block the measure. 
 
--Engaged the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary on ways 
to ensure appropriate sentencing, including discouraging 
judges from a reduction of sentences when the victim's family 
drops charges. This is key as many victims and perpetrators 
are from the same family. 
 
--Planned training of criminal court and appellate judges on 
the legalities involved in honor crime cases. 
 
--Successfully encouraged the establishment of a criminal 
court tribunal to rule on honor crime-related cases in order 
to unify verdicts and ensure that perpetrators are convicted 
in accordance with the gravity of their crimes. 
 
AMMAN 00001884  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
--Sponsored discussions on honor crimes with award winning 
writer and activist Rana Husseini, who recently released a 
book "Murder in the Name of Honor."  Post nominated Husseini 
for a VOLVIS program in order for her to share experiences 
with activists in the U.S. 
 
--Supported the work of NGO activists, including university 
students who initiated an "awareness caravan" in conservative 
communities.  Post has also encouraged journalists to 
continue coverage of the issue and for societal and religious 
leaders to speak out, as well. 
 
--Organized a meeting for the Ambassador and leading 
activists to map out next steps to combat honor crimes, 
especially at the community level. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Post efforts appear to be taking a foothold and some 
positive developments include: 
 
--Fifteen-year initial sentences in the last five cases, 
although sentences were reduced to 7.5 years when families 
dropped charges.  These sentences are an improvement over 
prior verdicts as the judges refrained from awarding 
six-month sentences based on the "fits of fury" defense. 
 
-- Increased coverage in local Arab-language media outlets 
and recent statements by a few religious leaders condemning 
honor crimes. 
 
-- Public announcement that the GOJ formed a special tribunal 
to try honor crimes that will begin work after a summer 
judicial break. 
 
Government, Parliament, Societal Viewpoints 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Viewpoints on honor crimes and family honor vary 
widely.   Without national unity, true reform and a change of 
public perception will be slow. Below is a snapshot of 
viewpoints from various groups: 
 
--Royal Family: They have spoken out against honor crimes, 
though they currently prefer to work behind the scenes for 
reform.  This is likely a result of a 2003 effort, led by the 
Queen and other members of the royal family, which failed to 
get any legislative amendments through parliament and 
prompted a backlash from conservative elements of society. 
The royal family is now pressuring the government officials, 
especially the judiciary, to take active steps to combat 
honor crimes. 
 
--Government: While key figures, such as the Prime Minister, 
previous and current Foreign Ministers, and Justice Minister, 
appear to support reform, the cabinet is not fully unified or 
motivated to move this agenda item forward as a top priority. 
 
--Parliament:  Tribally-conservative Members of Parliament 
(MPs), who dominate parliament, are fearful of a backlash 
from constituents and continue to oppose any legislation 
related to honor crimes, including tougher sentencing.  Other 
MPs also oppose legislation on family or tribal issues, which 
is viewed as the jurisdiction tribal leaders. 
 
--Tribal leaders: They reject the use of legislation or 
increased penalties, believing honor crimes can best be 
prevented by tribal leaders who are engaged with their 
communities and respond to problems at the local level. 
 
Visit Amman's Classified Website at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman 
Beecroft