Honour Killing in the Twenty-First Century — A Critical Book Review

Honour Killing in the Twenty-First Century by Nicole Pope

(Palgrave Macmillan: New York, 2012. ISBN: 978–0–230–33978–1)

Introduction

The concept of honour killing has existed for centuries in Middle Eastern and South Asian populations, but in recent years it has become increasingly visible in the Western media following a number of high profile cases in various European Countries.

It remains a controversial area which is difficult to research, this is in part due to cultural and religious sensitivity, but also due to the reluctance of those involved to discuss their motives and experiences; as the purpose of an honour killing is typically to cleanse alleged dishonour; family members are averse to bringing further attention to their perceived shame (Chesler, 2009).

It is from within this context the author sets out to conduct her own investigation into honour killing, regarding herself as well positioned to carry out the task following her experience of living and working in the Middle East and Turkey as a Journalist for many years. It is through a Journalistic style that Pope’s ethnographic research is recounted to the reader. Through this medium the author attempts to examine honour killing…