An impossible dream?

Editorial

There are no laws against “honor” killing in Canada, only laws against killing. But Ontario Superior Court Judge Robert Maranger made clear, in speaking after a jury convicted three members of Montreal’s Shafia family of killing four other (female) members of the family, that Canadian society reacts with revulsion to the concept: “It is difficult to conceive of a more heinous, more despicable and more honorless crime,” he said.

The unequivocal denunciation not only of the murders but of their motivation does credit to our justice system. At their root is a view of women as material possessions and, more pointedly, of female sexuality as a reflection of family (meaning male) pride and honor.

These were not the first so-called “honor” killings in Canada. As media have reported, this phenomenon has spread from the Middle East and South Asia around the world. It is now a Canadian problem as well.

The justice system has responded appropriately in this case. But throughout the trial, it became clear that other Canadian institutions did not respond appropriately. The girls in the Shafia family had been repeatedly identified as endangered – had, indeed, sought help from ostensibly trusted figures in their schools and in the community – but ended up dead nonetheless.

These tragic failings in the system remind us of the continuing need to confront, condemn and eliminate the attitudes on which “honor” killings are premised. We need to take threats against women and girls seriously. As well, as Jews, we must always be aware of – and confront, condemn and try to eliminate – any misogyny in our own faith community, such as the attempts by the religious establishment in Israel to marginalize women’s voices.

Such a movement will require a total upending of attitudes toward women by hundreds of millions of people. Impossible? To strive for anything less is unthinkable.

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