Honour killing story: Anum Kumbhar (2021)

Anum Kumbhar
born: 2003
stabbed to death: May 11, 2021
Residence: Seerani Badin
Origin: Pakistan
Children: none
Perpetrator: her father

On the 2nd day of Eid, 18-year-old Anum Kumbher was stabbed to death by her father, probably related to honor. Rumors are circulating on social media that she wanted to marry a man of her own choosing. Under the hashtag #justiceforanumkumbhar on Twitter, several Pakistani human rights activists are demanding justice for Anum Kumbher, and a demonstration was organized on Saturday for the same purpose.

In Pakistan, 1,000 women are murdered each year in the name of honor.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.