– There is a serious and worrying conclusion in this report. It is alarming and frightening, says Sarah Gaulin. She is the day-to-day leader of the organization LIM (equality, integration and diversity) and works to get immigrants into Norwegian society. The report she is talking about comes from Kripos and was made public today. Distinguishing honor killings from other murders is difficult, as murders are rarely registered according to motive, Kripos writes in the report. But after investigating several murders in Norway between 2000 and 2022, they have identified 24 murders that they believe are probably motivated by honor. Gaulin came as a refugee from Iran together with his mother. Victims of honor killings and violence often come from countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Photo: Helene Hjelseth Holen / news Nevertheless, very few have been investigated as honor killings, and very few have been convicted. Gaulin is critical of how both the police and the prosecution work with such cases. Lack of knowledge This is the first time that Kripos has gone back and looked at its own investigations to look for possible honor killings. These are some of the main findings: Very few of the 24 cases have been identified, investigated or prosecuted as honor killings by the police and prosecutors. The motif of honor is only mentioned in six of the total of 24 judgments. In 11 of the cases, there is concrete information that someone other than the perpetrator has supported or participated in the act of murder itself. Nevertheless, it is only one of the cases where someone has been convicted of complicity. Lene Wold is a senior adviser at Kripos and has worked on the report. Photo: Thomas Espevik Lene Wold works in the intelligence section of Kripos and has worked on the report. She says the findings show a lack of knowledge about the culture of honor in the Norwegian police. What is honor killing? Honor killings are murders that are committed to restore the honor of a person, family, kindred or clan who experience or feel violated. In typical cases, the victim has been disloyal to the person or group concerned and/or has transgressed against prevailing norms and thus damaged their honor and respect. In many societies, honor is a concept that is central to each individual’s social life, to the extent that some equate loss of honor with loss of life. Honor in such societies must be upheld and defended publicly, and the honor of the individual is strongly dependent on the reputation of relatives, and often especially women. Honor killings or violence are admittedly not an automatic reaction in societies characterized by a culture of honour. Source: SNL – Often the killer comes forward straight away and explains himself thoroughly. Then you have what can look like an obvious case of murder. But then there can actually be long lines of conflict, with many participants, which should perhaps be investigated, she says. Wold adds that this type of investigation is also often very resource-intensive. Many go free. Wold highlights in particular that very few are convicted of complicity in murder. – By uncovering the honor motive, one is forced to look around at potential collaborators, she says. In 11 of the 24 identified murders, Kripos found a total of 37 named persons who witnesses claimed had participated in the murder. In only one of the cases was someone convicted of it. – This is what separates honor killings from, for example, partner killings, where there can also be talk of a loss of honour. In honor killings, larger parts of the family are often involved, she says. It may be that the victim’s or perpetrator’s family has approved, encouraged or ordered the murder. Must bring in resources The report to Kripos is based on intelligence, and the findings are recorded with a certain degree of uncertainty. Wold says they have now drawn up a set of characteristics which they hope will help the work of identifying honour-related crime. Acting head of section in the Norwegian Police Directorate, Marte Kristine Ødegård Lund, says Kripos’ work and initiative is positive, and that they will take the report into account in their further work. – The report and the set of indicators are considered important for further developing the police’s ability to investigate and prevent this serious crime challenge. Measures that increase understanding of the phenomenon, awareness and knowledge for use in the prevention of honor-related violence and murder are important. Gaulin in LIM himself came from Iran as a refugee, and has seen the culture of honor up close. Photo: Helene Hjelseth Holen / news She hopes the report will lead to an investigation of both the police’s and the prosecution’s work with a culture of honour. – These findings send a signal that one person can take the entire punishment. Then all other family members who have helped influence honor killings can go free, she says. news has not been successful in getting a comment from the Attorney General. Published 20.06.2024, at 06.31
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Many involved are never punished – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
