Report from the international conference

Combating Patriarchal Violence Against Women – Focusing on Violence in the Name of Honour

Stockholm, 7–8 December 2004

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men gender eguality human rights honour patriarchy violence women men gender eguality huma lence women men gender eguality human rights honour patriarchy violence women men gender eguality human rights ho man rights honour patriarchy violence women men gender eguality human rights honour patriarchy violence women men lence women men gender eguality human rights honour patriarchy violence women men gender eguality human rights ho man rights honour patriarchy violence women men gender eguality human rights honour patriarchy violence women men l hihth ti h l d l hihth ti h l Contents

Foreword ...... 5

Summary ...... 7

Introduction ...... 10

Opening statement by the Swedish Minister for Integration and Gender Equality, Mr Jens Orback ...... 11

Address by Ms Ulla Hoffman, Swedish Left Party...... 13

Address by Ms Lotta Nilsson Hedström, Swedish Green Party...... 15

Testimony of a Christian victim of violence in the name of honour ...... 16

Key-note address by Ms Guldal Aksit, Minister of State, Turkey ...... 17

High-level panel...... 19 Address by Prof. Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions ...... 19 Address by Ms Nilofar Bakhtiar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Women’s Development, Pakistan...... 20 Address by Ms Zorayha Rakim Sobrany, Deputy Minister for Women’s Affairs, Afghanistan ...... 21 Address by Dr. Magdalena Sroda, Under-Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for the Equal Status of Men and Women, Poland...... 23 Summary of subsequent plenary discussion ...... 24

Key-note address by Ms Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief ...... 26

Second panel ...... 28 Address by Prof. Ayse Feride Acar, Chair of the Committee on the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women...... 28 Address by Ms Rana Husseini, Journalist, Jordan ...... 30 Address by Ms LaShawn R. Jefferson, Human Rights Watch...... 30

3 Address by Dr. Shahrzad Mojab, Associate Professor, Institute for Women’s Studies and Gender Studies, University of Toronto, Canada ...... 31 Summary of subsequent plenary discussion...... 32

Sharaf Heroes – testimony of young men fighting violence in the name of honour...... 34

Report to the plenary from the five working groups of the conference ...... 36 1. Patriarchal violence – extent, causes and preventive measure ...... 36 2. Violence in the name of honour – similarities and distinguishing features compared to other forms of patriarchal violence ...... 37 3. Focus on human rights and gender justice to combat patriarchal and male violence towards women and the oppression of women...... 38 4. Making visible connections between international obligations and action at the national level ...... 40 5. Preventive measures and the protection of victims ...... 41 Summary of subsequent plenary discussion ...... 42

Third panel ...... 44 Address by Dr. Boutheina Cheriet, Professor of Education, University of Algiers, Algeria ...... 44 Address by Mr Manuel Lezertua, Director, Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe ...... 44 Address by Dr. Hedia Belhadj, Deputy Director, UNFPA, Division for Arab States and Europe ...... 45 Address by Ms Irene Simantoni, Barrister, Council of the European Union ...... 46 Summary of subsequent plenary debate ...... 47

Closing statement by the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Laila Freivalds...... 48

Concluding comments and Call for Action from the Chair ...... 50

Annexes 1. Programme ...... 54 2. List of participants ...... 56 Secretariat of the conference and how to obtain a copy of the report ...... 60 3. Brief CVs of speakers ...... 61 4. Background material for the working-groups of the conference...... 64

4 Foreword

We are pleased to present you with the report from the international conference “Combating Patriarchal Violence Against Women – Focus- ing on Violence in the Name of Honour”. The conference was hosted by the Swedish Government in Stockholm on 7-8 December 2004 and organised jointly with the Swedish Left Party and the Green Party. The report can be seen as a contribution to the on-going process aimed at eradicating violence against women and girls and promoting gender equality – and serves at the same time as a reminder of how much remains to be done to secure even the most fundamental rights of women and girls. We have been pleased to see the widespread media coverage of the conference which has helped to spread the concluding comments and Call for Action to a broad audience, which we hope will facilitate fur- ther efforts in this area. As hosts for the conference, we would like to most warmly reiterate our thanks to all the participants who contributed to the open and constructive discussions. The deliberations proved that it is both possi- ble and necessary to break the silence surrounding patriarchal violence against women and particularly violence in the name of honour. The wide range of participants demonstrated how fruitful and rich discus- sions can be when people come together and contribute their experi- ences from different arenas, as in this case from government authori- ties, the UN, the EU, research communities, civil society, the media and politics. Hopefully, several features of the debate can contribute to further action in this area. One such issue is defining the root-causes of this violence in terms of patriarchal structures and perceptions of female subordination and male superiority. A subsequent issue is to address the violence with a broad range of measures to secure equal rights for women and men. Combating violence against women is a matter of securing the right to life and integrity of all people. It is also a question of protecting the enjoyment of human rights, of building democracy and it concerns the overall respect for the rule of law. Another contribution of the conference was the discussion on the need not only to “involve” men, but to question and address violent

5 male cultures and masculinities in general. And to act on Asma Jahangir’s conclusion that “generally, women are enlightened while men have power. Now, women must be empowered – and men be enlightened.” We should also counteract the phenomenon noted by many at the conference: that violence against women ranks low on political agendas globally. This type of violence is too often surrounded by silence – a silence that is coercive, and a form of consent. We will not accept this. As pointed out in the closing statement of the confer- ence: We will bring violence against women and violations of human rights into the public debate. We will not be silent. And we hope that you will not be silent either.

STOCKHOLM, FEBRUARY 2005

Laila Freivalds Jens Orback Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Integration and Gender Equality

6 Summary

The international conference on combating patriarchal violence against women, focusing on violence in the name of honour took place in Stockholm on 7–8 December 2004. It was hosted jointly by the Swe- dish Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Integration and Gender Equality, in cooperation with the Swedish Left Party and the Green Party. The conference was part of an ongoing Swedish process to better address patriarchal violence against women, both domestically and at the international level. The conference gathered some 200 participants and about 50 jour- nalists from a wide range of countries, both in West and South Asia, Northern Africa, Europe and the Western Hemisphere. Among them were government officials, representatives of international organisa- tions such as the UN, members of research communities and civil soci- ety, including several women’s organisations. The participants – many with personal experiences of the issue – brought vast expertise and different angles and perspectives to the subject. The concluding document of the conference took the form of com- ments and a Call for Action from the Chair. Compared to the UN General Assembly Resolution on Working Towards the Elimination of Crimes Against Women and Girls Committed in the Name of Honour (A/C.3/59/L.25), the text brings in some additional elements. It spells out perceptions of female subordination and male superiority as root- causes to violence in the name of honour. It also defines the root-causes in terms of the control over and oppression of women and girls and thus points to the need for a broad range of measures to promote gen- der equality and enhance women's conditions economically, socially, culturally and politically. During the conference, the protection and promotion of women’s enjoyment of human rights was repeatedly highlighted, including the protection of sexual and reproductive rights. The concluding document stressed that states have the responsibility to exercise due diligence to prevent and punish perpetrators, in accordance with their duty to pro- tect and promote human rights. When states fail in this respect, the international community should act, as pointed out by the UN Special Rapporteur, Prof. Philip Alston.

7 It was noted that states also have considerable measures at their dis- posal, in terms of legal reforms, law enforcement, education and awareness raising, to be used to address this violence and to demon- strate that it is unacceptable and that perpetrators will be punished. The Call for Action spells out the need to question current percep- tions of masculinity as well as of “honour” being linked to female chastity. These issues were addressed in a presentation at the conference by a group of young men from a suburb of Stockholm, the “Sharaf Heroes”. It pointed to the fact that young men can act as peers to help change attitudes to violence in the name of honour. It also illustrated how young men can be both “beneficiaries” and victims of patriarchal structures in being able to take advantage of and exploit their perceived “rights” to oppress their sisters and female cousins but also in being obliged to marry against their will. The deliberations during the conference gave further evidence to the fact that patriarchal violence and violence in the name of honour have no links to any specific religion. These phenomena appear in Muslim, Christian and Hindu communities alike. Minister Bakhtiar from Pakistan noted that Islam as a religion gives women significant rights and that no one should be allowed to take these rights away in the false name of Islam. Different opinions were expressed as to the extent to which cooper- ation with religious leaders is conducive to combating violence against women. While it was noted that, regardless of belief, many religious leaders play an important role in terms of attitudes and moral issues, concerns were also expressed that they seldom take action to combat violence against women and girls. The Swedish imam Abd al Haqq Kielan emphasised that religious leaders must speak up and make clear that such violence is unacceptable. The role of civil society, notably that of women’s organisations, was stressed in many interventions, not least their ability to monitor devel- opment and help audit governmental and other undertakings address- ing patriarchal violence, particularly violence in the name of honour. The need for cooperation between states and civil society was also stressed, both in terms of assisting and protecting victims and in addressing the root-causes. Many speakers, including Minister Aksit from Turkey, strongly advo- cated that violence against women must be brought out into the open

8 and should not be dealt with as a private matter. Several proposals were put forward for further action and a number of speakers suggested that Sweden, which had taken the initiative for the conference, should also play a leading role in its follow up. The main proposals were as follows: u That Sweden should take the initiative to establish an international commission or think tank to address patriarchal violence, focusing on violence in the name of honour, u To establish a new position within the UN in terms of a special rapporteur under the CEDAW on discrimination against women, u To take initiatives for the EU to proclaim 2006 as the year for com- bating violence against women and to carry out activities to that end, u To set aside more resources for combating patriarchal violence against women, particularly violence in the name of honour, u That governments take all forms of action to demonstrate that patriarchal violence, including violence in the name of honour, is a matter of high political priority, both domestically and globally.

9 Introduction

The conference on Combating Patriarchal Violence Against Women, Focusing on Violence in the Name of Honour took place at Vår Gård conference centre, Stockholm on 7–8 December 2004. The programme of the conference can be found in annex 1 and the list of participants in annex 2. The conference aimed at more effectively addressing the problem of patriarchal violence against women, particularly violence in the name of honour. It should be seen as a part of an ongoing process to counteract such violence. The conference contained a number of key- note addresses, three panels with subsequent plenary discussions and three sessions of discussions in working-groups on interrelated themes. The conference had two moderators; Ms Lena Ag, Adviser to the EU Commissioner Margot Wallström and Mr Jan Nordlander, Ambassador, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Stockholm, who chaired all plenary sessions and helped to feed elements from the discussions into the concluding document from the conference, which had been prepared in advance by the secretariat.

10 “Men’s violence against women is based on the assump- tion of male superiority and female subordination and not linked to any specific religion, ethnicity or culture, but to the degree of patriarchy.”

Opening statement by the Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Mr Jens Orback

Mr Orback welcomed all the participants at the conference and intro- duced his predecessor, Ms Mona Sahlin, who attended the first morn- ing of the conference. He declared that the aim of the conference was to discuss and seek solutions to the problem of patriarchal violence against women, focusing on violence in the name of honour. He explained that patriarchal violence has to be seen as part of the overall male violence that occurs all over the world. Men’s violence against women is based on the assumption of male superiority and female subordination and not linked to any specific religion, ethnicity or culture, but to the degree of patriarchy. Violence is used for denying women and girls security, freedom and the right to life. It is important to understand that it is not only open violence that constitutes a barrier to freedom, but also the threat of violence. Mr Orback noted that male violence as a whole is extremely costly both to individuals – in terms of lives and suffering – and to societies in terms of money, and that according to the World Bank chief economist, it has been assessed to amount to up to 8 per cent of GDP in some countries. He also referred to a report from the former UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Ms Radhika Coomaraswamy, where it is noted that violence, including honour killings, is often carried out by the close family, sometimes on behalf of larger communities. The report shows that violence is not always related to love, shame, jealousy or social pressure and that economic factors, armed conflicts and wars may also play a role. Mr Orback stressed that no state should be able to call upon customs, traditions or religion to avoid their obligation to eliminate this violence. States must send clear signals that violence against women is never tolerated. Mr Orback drew attention to the UN Resolution on Working Towards the Elimination of Crimes Against Women and Girls Committed in the Name of Honour, introduced in 2004 in the General Assembly by Turkey and the United Kingdom. The resolution was adopted by consensus and points among other things to the responsibility of men to promote gen-

11 “Male violence is extremely costly both in terms of lives, suffering and money. According to the World Bank chief economist, it has been assessed to amount to up to 8 per cent of GDP in some countries”

der equality and bring about changes in attitudes to eliminate gender stereotypes. Mr Orback pointed out four crucial issues that he suggested be con- sidered during the conference: 1 Governments must act responsibly and in accordance with human rights instruments. This is because “when it is acceptable to sacrifice an individual for the sake of the collective, nobody can feel safe”. Governments have to live up to the UN Secretary-General’s 2002 special report on violence in the name of honour and subsequent reports and resolutions. 2 It is important to support the work of civil society in, for instance, assisting victims of male violence and combating the problem of violence against women. 3 It is imperative to seek and address the root cause of violence, which is primarily gender inequality. 4 A frank and open discussion during the conference is important. No country, including Sweden, can say that they have a satisfactory solution to these problems. Mr Orback concluded by saying that all over the world, things actually change for the better due to the political will and engagement of people. Privileges that used to be in the hands of a few can be shared. Violence as a way of solving conflicts can be prevented. It is paramount that we make our contribution and continue to defend and strengthen respect for human rights for all and the right to live without oppression, fear and violence.

12 Ms Hoffman emphasised the importance of a feminist analysis to combat patriarchal violence.

Address by Ms Ulla Hoffman, the Left Party, Sweden

Ms Hoffman emphasised that men’s violence against women is one of the most ancient, oppressive structures in the world and that patriar- chal violence against women is a danger to all women. It is a danger to those who are beaten, raped or murdered, as well as to all other women who see what happens to their sisters, mothers or friends. Patriarchal violence limits every woman’s freedom. Thus, countries must take seriously the conventions that regulate violence against women and take action to ensure the freedom of all citizens, both women and men. Sweden is often presented as a good example when discussing gender equality, but Ms Hoffman referred to figures indicat- ing that 46 per cent of all Swedish women have been exposed to male violence. In 2001, more than 9000 cases of sex crimes were reported. Last year, more than 22 400 cases of gender-based violence were reported. Every year, between 20 and 40 women are beaten to death by their male partners. According to Ms Hoffman, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, is challenged every time a father takes the liberty of deciding whom his daughter is going to marry. The convention is also violated every time violence against a woman who objects to this is silently accepted. So long as specific cultural explanations are allowed to take precedence and problems with honour-related violence are not placed within the context of patriarchal structures, society will not be able to take responsibility for this type of violence. Ms Hoffman emphasised the importance of a feminist analysis to combat patriarchal violence. Honour-related violence must be regarded as an expression of male violence against women. Without the feminist approach we risk missing the structural reality that would explain, for example, the large numbers of Swedish women who are victims of male violence. To be able to protect women, the focus has to be on all patriarchal and discriminatory structures. Only then is it possible to draft legisla- tion and distribute resources appropriately. A woman exposed to this type of discrimination or violence is in need of protection and political action, no matter from which country she originates. Patriarchy and

13 structural violence exist all over the world. They exist in Sweden despite the fact that measures to counteract them have been taken. Extraordinary measures are therefore needed. Women have to unite and experiences have to be shared. This conference is a good start and will hopefully be followed by more possibilities to meet.

14 “International consensus is needed to condemn violence against women and to condemn domestic violence.”

Address by Ms Lotta Nilsson Hedström, the Green Party, Sweden

Ms Nilsson Hedström chose to illustrate the theme of the conference by a few glimpses from periods in her life. As a teacher during the late 1980s she had seen many confused young men who were “hanging” between cultures. They could see on the Internet that no restrictions seem to be placed on sexual or violent behaviour. At the same time, they heard their families talk about “decent girls to marry” and “honour to protect”. As a chairperson of a women’s shelter, she had met and read about young immigrant girls who were held almost as prisoners by their fathers who could not accept an “immoral” Swedish society. They were continually controlled – in the name of honour. She had also seen Swedish men repeating the same pattern of controlling and violating women. Ms Nilsson Hedström then told the story about her friend who was given away as a bride when very young. During the marriage this woman was beaten, raped and humiliated. She finally managed to flee to Sweden. Today she knows that her husband, father and all her male relatives still aim to find and kill her. Ms Nilsson Hedström considered that the responsible authorities in Sweden do not recognise these threats and rely to far too great an extent on the authorities in the woman’s home- land taking care of her. Ms Nilsson Hedström proclaimed that as a politician she had come to understand both the limitations of, and the need for rules and conven- tions. She saw them as a limitation because what was really needed was awareness raising in society, rather than precise rules. If we treat other people with love and respect and as persons of equal worth, in due course, this will also be translated into conventions, agreements and laws. In conclusion she noted that to deal with the problem of violence against women and honour-related violence, international consensus is needed to: u condemn violence against women, u condemn domestic violence, u condemn and regulate sexual exploitation, and u establish clear rules and norms for young people in terms of behaviour and respect for others.

15

Testimony of a Christian victim of violence in the name ” of honour

I married my husband without being in that everyone was like that. I did not get a love; I thought that love would come later. permit to stay in the country. My life was After some time, we moved to another in danger; I had problems with my divorce country. Everything started to change. and people thought badly about me. My My husband became involved in criminal situation was chaotic and I tried to take activities. At first, I tried to understand my own life. My mother came, and that him. But then he started to abuse me meant everything. My hope returned. I told physically and mentally. He said that I my mother everything that had happened, should not think that I was special or that and my mother believed me and supported I was important because I was educated. me. She also explained that my father I realised that he had only married me to knew about my problems and believed me, get hold of my money. but that there was still pressure from the My family did not know anything about rest of the family. my problems. I did not think that they My mother stayed for a month. When would support me. Also, I did not want she returned, my sister accompanied her them to worry about me, and divorce was and they tried to convince the rest of the not an alternative for me as a religious family that my husband was a fraud. woman. That would be very shameful for Then, my husband went crazy. From that my family. My husband threatened me point, I received the full support of my with divorce because he knew what this family. They helped me with my divorce, would mean for my family and me. The but it took six years to come into effect. problems got worse. My husband often My husband claimed compensation, but abused me and raped me. He also wanted I refused to pay. to sell me to his friends; I do not know if I would like to tell other women in this it was to obtain money, business advan- kind of situation not to give up. When I tages or simply in order to humiliate me. came to my new country, my sister was I escaped to my home country. My hus- the only person who helped me. Sheltered band then called my family and told them homes are not enough. Women in this sit- that I had run away with another man. uation need understanding and support. Despite this, my mother helped me. She They have lost all their self-confidence, told me that there was pressure from the they are alone, isolated and have lost family, and that my life was in danger. I everything. There are four issues that I escaped to a friend’s house. Only my mother would like to pass on to the conference: believed what I had said. I could not con- 1. The right to choose one’s life compan- vince the rest of the family since I had told ion without pressure from one’s family them before that everything was going well. or ethnic group. My husband started to look for me. My 2. Equal right to divorce irrespective of mother helped me with money so that I sex or religion. could go to my sister in a European coun- 3. During the asylum process, the authori- try. I contacted the police, but they did ties should assist the woman in the not care and sent me to the immigration process of obtaining a divorce that is authority. I waited for a year to be inter- valid in the native country. viewed and was very depressed. Some 4. Immigrants and people born in the people in the new country treated me with country of asylum are equal and must disrespect and prejudice, and I thought respect each other in everyday life.”

16 Ms Aksit stressed the responsibility of politicians to come up with solutions to the problem of violence against women and honour killings.

Key-note address by Ms Güldal Aksit, Minister of State, Turkey

Ms Aksit said that Turkey had given a lot of attention to the problem of violence against women and honour killings. She said that it was not true that such violence has increased and that there is now far more work being done to combat it. Since 1999 efforts have been made both by the government and NGOs to encourage public debate about honour crimes. Ms Aksit stressed the responsibility of politicians to come up with solu- tions and described what Turkey had done to this end in recent years. Since the latter half of the 1990s Turkish legislation has been reviewed and steps have been taken towards the establishment of gender equality through various legal amendments. A new Civil Code entered into force on 1 January 2002 that supplements prior constitutional amendments and secures women’s position. The Code abolishes the supremacy of men in marriage and establishes the full equality of men and women within the family. Women’s right to economic independence has also changed. Until 1990 a woman could only work outside the home with the permission of her husband. The new Code states that neither spouse has to ask for con- sent from the other concerning his/her choice of work or profession. The Law on the Protection of the Family entered into force in 1998. This law is important as matters that used to be regarded as private are now recognised as public concerns and thus subject to various punitive measures. The law allows women and children subjected to violence to lodge personal complaints and provides for precautionary measures to ensure the protection of the victims. The Law on Municipalities (adopted in July 2004) states that municipalities with more than 50 000 inhabi- tants must establish shelters for women. Through these shelters the Directorate General of Social Services and the Child Protection Institute provide services for battered women or to those who are at risk of encountering violence. Human rights councils have been established in all provinces and districts and are an important instrument in combating violence against women. They are investigating complaints and allegations of human rights abuses and transmitting the acts to relevant authorities. In addition to the amendments made to national legislation, Turkey

17 has also been a party to the United Nations Convention on the Elimin- ation of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) since 1985 and to its optional protocol since 2002. Non-governmental organisations are also important actors in Turkey in the processes both of conducting research on violence against women and of providing counselling and shelters for battered women. Ms Aksit also stated that a recent example of the Turkish govern- ment’s work for women’s rights and preventing violence against women was the 2004 text of the recent UN General Assembly Resolution on Working Towards the Elimination of Crimes Against Women and Girls Committed in the Name of Honour, presented jointly with the United Kingdom. The resolution aims at preventing honour killings, emphasis- ing that the elimination of crimes against women and girls requires enhanced efforts and commitment from governments and the interna- tional community.

18 “Honour killings should not be an issue of culture although the concept of culture is often used as a mitigating factor. It must be emphasised that any form of killing, under any name, is unacceptable.”

High-level panel

Prof. Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions

Prof. Alston stressed that, in his capacity as the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, he reports each year to the UN Commission on Human Rights and to the General Assembly. To include honour killings in the mandate constituted an important development of the way in which human rights is regarded. Permitting women to be killed raises issues on governments’ response and responsi- bilities. Prof. Alston praised his predecessor Asma Jahangir for having done a superb job in this regard. He noted that he had had meetings with a number of male ambas- sadors in Geneva where very many of them had expressed the opinion that he should not deal with honour killings at all. They were pleased that a man had taken on the job now, so that the “mistakes” of Asma Jahangir, who was considered not to have understood the law, could be corrected. These ambassadors stated that when someone is shot, it is sim- ply a crime that should be dealt with under national criminal law, and not an issue related to the international responsibilities of the state. Prof. Alston stressed that this is true if appropriate measures are taken with respect to the criminalisation, investigation, prosecution and punishment of honour crimes. However, when we can see a pattern in which these measures are not carried out effectively, then honour crimes become a serious and grave concern for the UN. The cultural excuse was always raised in connection with honour killings. Prof. Alston reiterated that honour killings should not be an issue of culture although the concept of culture is often used as a mitigating factor. It must, however, be emphasised that any form of killing, under any name, is unacceptable. Killings are generally outlawed by international law, and government consensus makes it easier to combat honour killings. As UN Special Rapporteur, Prof. Alston said that his role was to help to clarify governments’ responsibility for patterns of murder, and to put pressure on them to deal with the issue. But he needed help. He therefore asked all those who were involved in work against vio- lence committed in the name of honour to report such killings to the

19 “As Islam gives women important rights, nobody should be allowed to deny women their rights in the name of Islam. The patriarchy must understand that honour should never be related to violence.”

Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights. The more infor- mation he received, the more difficult it would be for ambassadors to claim that honour killings were not a human rights issue and thus, the case for the UN would become stronger.

Ms Nilofar Bakhtiar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Women’s Development, Pakistan

Ms Bakhtiar noted that she met women every day who had been sub- jected to violence or rape, who had sleeping disorders and depression. According to Human Rights Watch, 70-90 per cent of the women in her part of the world are subjected to violence. Every two hours, a woman is raped in Pakistan. These are unofficial figures, but they illus- trate a serious situation. Little girls are hidden away under piles of dirty clothes and dishes, and they never get to school. The most serious crime committed in the name of honour is when women are killed in broad daylight to satisfy a man’s ego. These women are even buried in separate graveyards. Combating these crimes is very difficult. The good news, she said, was that Pakistan had recently passed new legislation, under which honour killings would be punished with the death penalty or life imprisonment. Honour crimes have now for the first time been included in the Pakistani Penal Code. Furthermore, women can no longer be given away for marriage. New legislation to prevent traffick- ing has been passed. In the field of family law, a number of amendments have been made. A national committee on violence against women has been formed, headed by Minister Bakhtiar. Today, 33 per cent of people with posts in local government are women. Further, quotas for female participation have been introduced in village boards and committees. Financial reforms benefiting women, such as micro-credits, are being carried out in Pakistan. In the field of education, reforms have been carried out to improve the education of girls. The national debate has intensified. Pakistan would be hosting a conference on Islamic law in January 2005. Ms Bakhtiar pointed out that as Islam gives women important rights, nobody should be allowed to deny women their rights in the name of Islam. The patriarchy must understand that hon- our should never be related to violence. She concluded by saying that at the moment, it was winter- time, but

20 “Regardless of our different economic strengths and social infrastructures, our concerns are essentially the same: Pursuing a vision of society in which women’s rights are fully protected and free from patriarchal violence.”

that we knew that spring would come. Likewise, there will be a time when discrimination, repressive customs and traditions will have to go and leave a place for rights for all.

Address by Dr. Zorayha Rahim Sobrany, Deputy Minister for Women’s Affairs, Afghanistan.

Dr. Sobrany noted that regardless of our different economic strengths and social infrastructures, our concerns are essentially the same: Pursuing a vision of society in which women’s rights are fully protected and free from patriarchal violence. She noted that while Afghan women suffer as a result of twenty-three years of war and civil unrest, many of the woes of Afghan women arise from patriarchy related to South Asian, Central Asian and Islamic cul- ture. Afghanistan has been, and still is a predominantly conservative, rural society with strong traditions related to tribal or extended family survival. The men of the family are to maintain their honour through the women. The position and value of women is decided by the actions they take with their bodies. Women are to be disciplined, controlled and protected from outside influences that might pollute them, thus threatening the well-being and existence of the group. Consequently, Afghan women are confined to a narrow set of behavioural possibilities and life choices, and denied the enjoyment of a whole range of rights; economic, social, civil and political. These deprivations are manifesta- tions of discrimination against women and girls in Afghanistan. Domestic violence and physical abuse, which include rape, burning and “honour” killings, are still widespread in Afghanistan which is both a country of origin and a transit country for trafficking of women for domestic labour, forced marriage and prostitution. The forced marriage of young girls continues as girls and women are traded to settle debts or tribal or intra-family conflicts. Confronting the problem of patriarchal crimes that disproportionately affect women requires a change in attitude that pervades all levels of society. President Karzai has made general statements a few times on the protection of women’s rights, including condemning “honour” crimes. While some progress has no doubt been made, much remains to be done by increasing awareness among religious leaders, senior government lead-

21 “It is also crucial that women obtain information on their legal rights and that surveys are undertaken of existing family codes, practices, institutions and traditions to pro- vide knowledge of women’s strategic gender needs.”

ers and the public. It is also crucial that women obtain information on their legal rights and that surveys are undertaken of existing family codes, practices, institutions and traditions to provide knowledge of women’s strategic gender needs. Today, “honour crimes” are legally sanctioned and defence of the fami- ly honour is considered a mitigating factor, which indirectly encourages further crimes. Article 398 of the Penal Code of Afghanistan contains an exemption from penalty of laceration and murder committed to defend one’s honour if a man harms or kill his wife or female relative, after finding her committing adultery. Thus, it allows for a reduced sentence of a maximum of two years. On the other hand, there are no specific laws or rules that protect women. The crimes committed against women on the basis of family honour must be approached as human and legal crimes. Anyone who commits such a crime must be punished under the law in the same way as any person killing another innocent individual. Legal reform must occur aimed at protecting the victims and punishing the perpetrators, all totally possible within a legitimate Islamic legal framework. We need to amend criminal laws and procedures and to eliminate any discrimination against women in order to ensure that criminal law and procedures guarantee women effective protection against, and prosecution of, crimes directed at or disproportionately affecting women, regardless of the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. We need also to ensure that woman defendants, victims and/or witnesses are not re-victimised or discriminated against in the investigation and prosecution of crimes. The legal reform should be made under the framework of the CEDAW, to which Afghanistan is a party and the new Afghan Constitution enacted early this year. There is no quick solution for the status of Afghan women and exter- nal pressure should be applied with a great deal of care in order to avoid gains made for women’s equality being rejected later on as “foreign”, “un-Afghan” and “un-Islamic”. Culturally acceptable measures need to be implemented which build on Afghan experience in dealing with abuses against women’s rights.

22 “The notions of honour and gallantry has for generations sanctified a deep dependence of women on men; a depen- dence difficult to fight, since it is framed in velvet.”

Dr. Magdalena Sroda, Under-Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for the Equal Status of Men and Women, Poland

Dr. Sroda elaborated on two meanings of “honour”; one historical, con- nected to class and one connected with the patriarchal structure of society in general. A legacy of honour has for hundreds of years delin- eated the codes of behaviour and manners of the gentry and aristocra- cy, not least in Poland. The main aim of this honourable behaviour in the upper classes was to differentiate oneself from the lower classes. It has thus been suggested that “culture” is nothing more than the “gradual assimilation of the ideal values of the gentry class”. The man of honour is someone who acts magnanimously, altruistically. Dr. Sroda noted that only a man may possess honour and that class and the historically conditioned idea of honour is directly connected with power. This power is also visible in the gallantry shown to women. The man who lets a woman through the door before him is someone who has the power both of letting her through and of closing the door in front of her nose. This honourable and gallant behaviour towards women is a subtle sign of dominance. Gallantry towards women creates the illusion for them of being privileged persons but is in fact a symbolic and tran- sient privilege. Through codes of honour, a woman has no honour of her own, just reputation. Her duty is to guard her virginity, be obedient and passive. Thus, the notions of honour and gallantry has for generations sanctified a deep dependence of women on men; a dependence difficult to fight, since it is framed in velvet. Hidden behind the narrow idea of honour is the broad meaning of vio- lence coupled with dominance, as violence is omnipresent and indispens- able for the structure of civilisation and society. Only more recently has it been asked why women must always be the victims of this violence. When combating violence we must not only focus on its physical aspect and the perpetrators but also on its psychological and socio-environmen- tal causes, since violence resides in the culture’s nucleus. It is omnipresent and has all kinds of forms and faces. There are many interesting theories describing alternative societies based on feminine “principles” and feminine values. Since the patriarchal society is a negation of democracy, a depatriarchalisation of culture can run parallel to the processes of democratisation to highlight the egalitari- anism of all human relationships both in the public and the private

23 “Since the patriarchal society is a negation of democracy, a depatriarchalisation of culture can run parallel to the processes of democratisation to highlight the egalitarianism of all human relationships”

spheres. For some people, however, democratisation and egalitarisation of societies and the inclusion of minorities are frequently associated with chaos. The depatriarchalisation of culture happens most quickly in the realm of the law and most slowly in human mentality and this is why we should concentrate on it. So far, there are no separate laws in Poland con- cerning domestic violence. There are also structural barriers. While there are, for instance, sheltered homes for abused women – the men perpe- trating these crimes do not undergo any punishment or treatment. Another structural obstacle is the permanent mass propaganda of vio- lence. The most important barrier in the struggle against violence is in the minds of both the victims and Polish society at large. The concept that violence is “natural” constitutes a major barrier in combating violence. Another barrier is the family-centric type of society existing in Poland and traditions linked to religion such as Catholicism where the value of the family is autonomous and sacred, regardless of whether the family is functional or dysfunctional. The main domains in which it is essential to combat violence are education and the media.

Summary of subsequent plenary discussion

It is important to work with, and educate men and to break male silence on violence, both at grass-roots level and to influence men in decision-making positions. A challenge is to break the silence of many women who are today too dependent on men and too afraid to speak up against patriarchal violence. The issue of violence committed in the name of honour should be disconnected from Islam, which in itself has nothing to do with the prob- lem. The word “Islam” means peace and safety from harm. Religious lead- ers and congregations, Muslim, Christian and Hindu, play an important role and should do more to stop violence against women and stand up for women’s rights and gender equality. Their position is also important in the upbringing of children as they could actively promote the rights of girls. It is important to consider how new legislation and practice can be monitored. States should establish their own monitoring or follow up mechanisms. The EU has often criticised states for not having such mechanisms in

24 “Religious leaders should do more to stop violence against women and stand up for women’s rights and gender equality.”

place, but has been reluctant to monitor it’s own action. The grass-roots level is very important with regard to monitoring or follow up. Women’s movements, NGOs and other social movements have crucial roles in this context. International organisations should also be involved, including organisations focusing on human rights. The discussion far too often tends to focus on the victim instead of what produces the victim. We need to analyse the social and economic structures behind violence in the name of honour. We should look criti- cally at state and how they fulfil their commitments to exercise due dili- gence to prevent, investigate or punish acts of violence against women by private persons.

25 “Women’s rights and women’s safety is not a women’s issue and concern but a question of overall democracy.”

Key-note address by Ms Asma Jahangir, UN Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief

Ms Jahangir stressed that violence against women is the most hidden of all crimes. It is also widely accepted and perpetrators are often applauded. According to Ms Jahangir, the “deadly silence” among people at large is a major cause of the deaths of women, not only the open violence of the perpetrators. Ms Jahangir was pleased to note that countries like Jordan and Turkey had started to take concerted action to address these problems and to change the patterns and attitudes that are the root-causes of the violence. Others however remain inactive and Ms Jahangir referred to Palestinian authorities and authorities in Gaza, where violence against women is still considered “a family affair”, although 70 per cent of all murders in the region are estimated to be committed in the name of honour. Ms Jahangir noted that many brutal killings are being “translat- ed” into honour killings to disguise their ugliness. There is, she said, a need to address the root-causes in a concerted plan of action along the following lines: u It is necessary to support women’s groups, particularly local ones and their roles in monitoring the situation, as they are in a better position than most to come up with creative solutions for addressing these problems that are adapted to the actual context. She also noted that women’s organisations could also be valuable partners for audit- ing the resources provided to address problems related to violence and discrimination. u The law must be applied equally to all. Out of 400 women mur- dered in Pakistan in the name of honour, only 20 men, according to Ms Jahangir, have been convicted and then only to mild sentences. And in that country there is a new law giving courts the right to lower the sentences for such violence even further. u Local councils, often consisting of elderly men, tend to be guided by patriarchal values that may cost women their lives. The Rapporteur gave the example of Panchayats in South Asia where local councils have decided that rape of a girl should be avenged and where men

26 “Today, generally speaking, women are enlightened and men have the power. We must address this imbalance by enlightening men and empowering women.”

from the village of the victim are given the “right” to go and rape a women in the village of the perpetrator or perpetrators. u Women’s rights and women’s safety is not a women’s issue and con- cern but a question of overall democracy. u The welfare approach and the tendency to pity women as victims must be replaced with a true and manifest rights perspective. More than anything, women must have the right to life. u Today, generally speaking, women are enlightened and men have the power. We must address this imbalance by enlightening men and empowering women. All in all to make change happen, we must address the root-causes of the problems, break the silence regarding violence against women, make the clergy of all religions speak up, make governments act, and address the violence in the context of building democracy where the empowerment of women is pivotal.

27 “CEDAW recognises the systemic nature of discrimination against women as stemming from the universal reality of patri- archy and foresees women’s enjoyment of their human rights as contingent upon the dissolution of patriarchy in all its forms.”

Second panel discussion

Prof. Ayse Feride Acar, Chair, UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discri- mination Against Women, recognises the systemic nature of discrimi- nation against women as stemming from the universal reality of patri- archy and foresees women’s enjoyment of their human rights as con- tingent upon the dissolution of patriarchy in all its forms. Violence against women, the most blatant form of gender-based discrimination is targeted by CEDAW as a clear violation of women’s human rights. While CEDAW does not contain any reference to vio- lence against women, the CEDAW Committee’s adoption of General Recommendation 12 in 1989 and 19 in 1992 has required states to address violence against women as a manifestation of discrimination against women and to report on its incidence and types and on mea- sures they have taken to eradicate it. States’ responsibility, under inter- national law, for failure to act with “due diligence” to prevent, investi- gate or punish acts of violence against women by private persons is also part and parcel of General Recommendation 19 which strongly relates violence against women to traditional attitudes and stereotypi- cal gender roles that subordinate women to men and perpetuate prac- tices including coercion, violence and control of women’s bodies. Thus, patriarchal norms and discriminatory traditional attitudes often consti- tute the basis of laws that treat women’s sexuality and control of their bodies as matters of men’s domination. A major problem is also the fact that in most regions of the world, notions of appropriate behaviour for women are often internalised by women themselves, and discourage them from entering public life, seeking non-traditional employment etc. The CEDAW Committee’s review gives evidence that women belonging to racial, ethnic, national or caste minorities as well as migrant women workers, women asylum seekers, refugees, displaced women and indigenous women are more often subjected to gender- based violence in consequence of the multiple discrimination they experience. Similarly, armed conflict and extreme poverty, as well as

28 “A major problem is also the fact that in most regions of the world, notions of appropriate behaviour for women are often internalised by women themselves, and discourage them from entering public life, seeking non-traditional employment etc.”

natural disasters and catastrophes, are often reflected in increasing violence against women in general. States’ reports now also include formerly unmentioned acts of violence against women, such as stalk- ing, forced marriage, son-preference, forced pregnancy and forced abortion, acid throwing and honour killings as prevailing forms of violence against women. In recent years, the CEDAW Committee has also noted that in a number of culturally and ethnically diverse societies and in countries that have large immigrant populations, what has been called “respect for traditions, culture or religion of minorities” has in fact impeded the protection of women’s human rights. This is particularly with respect to the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators of patriarchal vio- lence against women in religious and ethnic communities. Such mis- guided “cultural relativism” has been systematically criticised by the Committee. Reports also show that despite the trend towards the adoption of legislation particularly for domestic violence, implementa- tion and support services such as well-functioning hot lines and ade- quate shelters, trained judiciary and law enforcement personnel lag considerably behind. In many countries, the issue is almost exclusively addressed by women’s NGOs, such as in “Shadow reports” to CEDAW, or by rela- tively less powerful national organisations for women. The CEDAW Committee has frequently expressed concern over the lack of political will to prioritise violence against women on states’ political agendas. Honour crimes are mentioned in the CEDAW consideration of reports from Jordan (2000) and Iraq (2000), as well as the Netherlands (2001), Egypt (2001), Uruguay (2002) and Brazil (2003). In most cases, the Committee has drawn states’ attention to the lack of adequate legisla- tion and to “impunity” in the criminal justice system for these crimes. It has also urged governments to do away with protective custody of women under threat of honour-related violence and institute other types of pro- tection for these women. In the Committee’s recommendations to state parties, violence against women is a concern in almost all cases and the link is stressed between the violence and women’s economic dependency and vulnerable position; to gender discriminatory values and traditions; to women’s overall low status in the family and the community. And still, it is not the perpetrators but the victims who continue to be marginalised and shamed.

29 “There is a need for persistent pressure on gov- erments to show the authorities and the women concerned that a women´s life is worth the same as the life of a man.”

Ms Rana Husseini, Journalist, Jordan

Ms Husseini stated that she had been a reporter for the Jordan Times for 11 years, mainly dedicating her work to reporting on crime, includ- ing violence against women. She had covered numerous court cases in this connection. When she had started, people had made fun of her and had mocked her for trying to change habits and attitudes that had always existed. They said no one would listen and nothing would change. But she decided to be stubborn and persist, as somebody would have to listen to her in the end. And now, after 10 years, the situation has changed dramatically. A number of women are still the victims of honour killings each year – on average some 25 in Jordan every year, and about two men. However, it is important to note that of course, not all woman in Jordan nor in the Middle East at large risk being killed if she talks to a man. Men are also victims in the sense that they are “forced” by society or their family to kill or hurt a cousin or a sister. Ms Husseini stressed that this type of crime is not limited to the Muslim sector of Jordan, as there are also Christian examples. While the killings continue it is also important to note positive developments. One such feature is the changes in Jordan that people have started to recognise that violence against women and violence in the name of honour are problems that need to be discussed. Political and religious leaders and government officials all have a crucial role in breaking the silence and talking about the issue. But still, killers con- tinue to get away with light sentences. Adultery, or even the suspicion of adultery makes many women victims, as even vague unfounded rumours may be enough to ruin lives. There is thus a need for persis- tent pressure on governments, basically to show both the authorities and women concerned that a woman’s life is worth the same as that of a man.

Ms LaShawn R. Jeffersson, Executive Director, Woman’s Rights Division, Human Rights Watch

Ms Jefferson stressed that patriarchy is built on and implies male privi- leges, including the right to execute women, sometimes at will. This

30 “Patriarchy is built on and implies male privileges, includ- ing the right to execute women, sometimes at will. This violence is an instrument to control women and the threat of violence is a tool to keep women in their places.”

violence is an instrument to control women and the threat of violence is a tool to keep women in their places. And while women are victims, the primarily male perpetrators are not even prosecuted. The messages are then basically to all women that we must “conform or die”, as those women who dare to break the patriarchal norms may be killed. The state can and should play a crucial role in protecting and pro- moting human rights. Far too often, however, in reality states provide an “enabling environment” for violence against women at large, in not opening up a broad debate on brutal violence like that performed in the name of honour. The laws of many states related to divorce, inheri- tance etc reflect the perception that females are inferior to males and are thus clearly related to the degree of violence against women. Accordingly, there tend to be few provisions used to protect women and girls, even when their lives are threatened. So, Sweden should send a clear message to address violence, includ- ing violence in the name of honour in a comprehensive way that starts with the root-causes. One way of doing this, she urged, was for states to change their asylum laws to allow refuge for victims of these crimes.

Dr. Shahrzad Mojab, Associate Professor, Institute for Women’s Studies and Gender Studies, University of Toronto, Canada

Dr. Mojab stressed the need for concrete action. She also advocated a comprehensive anti-racist, anti-Islamophobic, anti-homophobic, and feminist pedagogical campaign. This she said is imperative at this dan- gerous historical juncture where war, militarisation and violence shape public policy and simultaneously fuel hate, violence, and animosity among religious-based and secular forces to further divide us along the lines of nation, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexuality. The focus of such a pedagogical campaign would need to be on prevention and the ability to sense, see, and recognise early signs of violence against women. This is based on the premise that “honour killing” is a patriarchal form of vio- lence against women; and patriarchy should not be reduced to the psy- chological problems of a violent or ignorant man. We should organise, and governments can play a very crucial role to make progress in draw- ing up legal tools, through the CEDAW, law and public policy. But we

31 “Studies indicate that the numbers of “honour killings” are on the rise, that the problem crosses borders and nations and is more prevalent among more traditional, and economically, polit- ically and socially disadvantaged groups.”

also need action to go beyond bureaucracies and turn into a movement. Studies indicate that the numbers of “honour killings” are on the rise, that the problem crosses borders and nations and is more preva- lent among more traditional, and economically, politically and socially disadvantaged groups. Factors such as poverty, unemployment, racism, sexism, discrimina- tion and marginalisation in all spheres of life, whether in the homeland or host-country, contribute to the rise of violence against women and “honour killing.” So, while violence against women is a social phenom- enon, rooted in patriarchy, it is not a cultural, religious or ethnic phe- nomenon but a question of social cohesion, social justice, inclusion, tolerance and respect, and dependent upon government’s commitment to improve the lives of their citizens. Social inclusion, justice and toler- ance are crucial in fighting violence in the name of honour. Violence against women is a cost to us all; economically, socially and politically. Thus if we are serious about the eradication of violence against women in the name of “honour” adequate resources should be allocated to its eradication. Violence against women is a complex social problem, and all sectors of society should be mobilised: students, teachers, parents, communi- ties, civil society, the media, private sector, governments and the global community. Particularly, marginalised women, who are the target of racism and sexism, should be given opportunities to express themselves, learn, develop and take action.

Summary of subsequent plenary discussion

Several persons in the audience suggested that states should be more generous in giving asylum to traumatised women who’s lives were at risk and who were in need of protection. However, a number of speak- ers stated that this would be to run away from the problem and that the best thing to do would be to continue to put pressure on all gov- ernments to improve women’ status. It was also noted that while the focus should be on overall changes in attitudes and legislation, it would in the meantime be necessary to seek immediate solutions for women who’s lives were at stake. Thus actors like the UN High

32 “Social inclusion, justice and tolerance are crucial in fighting violence in the name of honour.”

Commissioner for Refugees and governments were encouraged to take further action to assist women in this regard. It was also suggested that international courts should be involved to help monitor to what extent states take action to protect victims of patriarchal violence, including violence in the name of honour, and to bring perpetrators of such violence to trial.

33 “...a problem connected with the honour culture is that some boys take advantage of their ‘rights’ and exploit the opportunities to control girls and women.”

“Sharaf Heroes”– testimony of young men fighting violence in the name of honour

Introduction by Eduardo Grutzky

Grutzky said that Fryshuset is a centre for young people in Stockholm that receives some 40 000 visitors every month. The centre offers a broad programme of activities for young people including secondary school education, rehearsal studios, skateboarding, basketball, dance, drama, and circus and social projects. Fryshuset invited a few brave young men prepared to fight against patriarchal attitudes and gave them education in human rights and gender equality issues, to serve as role models and mentors for others wanting to disassociate themselves from a culture based on honour. They know that peers play an increasingly important role in the “up- bringing” of young people. An effective way of influencing young men is to ensure their active participation in initiatives aiming to bring about change. This project is known as Sharaf Heroes. Thousands of girls in Sweden are repressed by a culture of honour and Fryshuset started by helping these girls. But they noticed the need to also involve boys and men, as they are also victims to some extent, being compelled to live under a system that makes them guards of their sisters and cousins. They may also be forced to marry girls who have been chosen for them by their families. However, young men may also be associated with a problem connected with the honour culture as some boys take advantage of their “rights” and exploit the opportunities to control girls and women. They also enjoy double standards, which give them considerable sexual freedom – but limit the freedom of their sisters. In combating overall repression in the name of honour, sheltered housing and support for girls are not enough. We must change values and behaviour among men, and in so doing recognise that boys are both “beneficiaries” and victims of the present system. A project leader was hired and one part of his job was contacts with various networks, associations and organisations that meet young men from immigrant backgrounds. ”Sharaf” is Arabic for “honour”. The boys targeted were from 15 years upwards, all belonging to honour cultures. Fryshuset used a method from their “Peaceful Street” project”,

34 “Dialogue, my friends, will change today’s situation and the patriarchal way of thinking! Please give us your support and not just empty applause and false smiles. Nothing is impossible if we work together.”

aiming at dissociating young people living in the suburbs of Stockholm – often with immigrant backgrounds – from drugs and criminality in

order to help make Stockholm a safer city. These young people are

now becoming role models in their suburbs. ” Sharaf Heroes on stage

Here in front of you are eight bold young are, in other words, here to support and guys who are prepared to stand up and act as role models for others who want to fight against the patriarchal way of think- take a stand against the honour culture. ing. Standing in front of you, and sitting But why us, why should young people in front of us, are people from a whole lot be involved in changing the attitudes of of different countries – Bangladesh, other young people? I will tell you why. It Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. In Sweden is because statistics show that young thousands of girls are oppressed by a cul- people are more likely to listen to and ture of honour. The Elektra project was look up to people of their own age. We set up with the aim of helping these just want to point out one thing. We want girls. But the problems associated with you to understand that all the Sharaf the honour culture do not only affect Heroes, including myself, love our cul- girls. Boys are also victims, because they ture. It is a wonderful culture. All that are forced to live in a system that makes hospitality, trust and love. It gives us so them watch over and oppress their sisters much. It is a culture unlike any other, and cousins. Sadly the younger genera- but it is marked by a little black stain – tion of boys has started to learn the nega- the problems associated with the honour tive sides of the honour culture from oth- culture – and that stain must be washed ers in their family and has started to see away. With our help and with yours. these as something natural. But what can Here in front of you are eight Sharaf we do to change this? Well, our good Heroes who are full of willpower and ambi- friend Arhe Hammednaca had this bril- tion. But we need support. Support from liant idea. The idea was to start a project people who work counts just as much as to influence and change attitudes among support from mothers on maternity leave. young guys. The project is based on dia- And support from university students is logue. Dialogue, my friends, will change just as important as support from govern- today’s situation and the patriarchal way ment ministers. Please give us your sup- of thinking! And through dialogue you port and not just empty applause and false can get individuals to start thinking about smiles. Open doors for us, do not close what is wrong and what is right, without them right in our faces. NOTHING is any pressure from home. Sharaf Heroes impossible if we work together. ”

35 “To prevent patriarchal violence, governments are responsible for enacting and enforcing gender-neutral laws and practices in accordance with UN human rights instruments.”

Report to the plenary from the five working-groups of the conference

Four sessions of the conference were set aside for discussions in five working-groups with inter-connected themes, elaborated upon by the secretariat in the background material to be found in annex 4 of this report. The rich and complex discussions in the groups are summar- ised below.

Conclusions from group 1 Patriarchal violence – extent, causes and preventive measures Chair: Dr. Anders Milton, President, Swedish Red Cross

The extent of patriarchal violence varies between countries and regions but exists everywhere and is a serious impediment to economic, social and cultural development. Its expressions vary, depending upon how states protect the human rights of all their citizens, how perpetrators of violence and oppression are prosecuted and/or the existence of impunity. Violence against women has many forms; through general violence and abuse, rape, killings, trafficking and prostitution but also through discrimination by law; i.e. of women as legal subjects, denial of their right to vote etc. Patriarchal violence also affects men. The causes of patriarchal violence are traditional inequalities and customs, legal inequalities such as denial of the state’s obligation to promote and protect the fulfilment of all human and democratic rights and equal opportunities for all its citizens, to ownership, to inheritance, to the right to education, work, the right to choose one’s partner, and the right to sexual and reproductive health as defined in the main UN conventions on universal human rights. To prevent patriarchal violence, governments are responsible for enacting and enforcing gender-neutral laws and practices in accordance with UN human rights instruments and join the efforts of international organisations to promote measures against honour crimes and protect potential victims. Furthermore governments have a responsibility to change cultural perceptions through all public sector channels as well

36 “Regrettably the notion of honour is erroneously linked to women’s sexuality, bodies and behaviour. ”

as to encourage civil society organisations, NGOs and the media. They are also responsible for monitoring and reporting violations of human rights. The Swedish Government should take the initiative to establish an international commission/network in order to monitor and prevent patriarchal violence against women – focusing on violence in the name of honour.

Conclusions from group 2 Violence in the name of honour – similarities and distinguishing features compared to other forms of patriarchal violence Chair: Ms Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Beliefs

1 All forms of violence including violence against women must be condemned. It is imperative to address honour-related crimes as the result of collective decision and honour killings as the final stage of a system of repression. In addition, such violence dangerously glori- fies crimes in the name of family honour. 2 Regrettably the notion of honour is erroneously linked to women’s sexuality, bodies and behaviour. It translates itself into controlling the daily lives of women but also dominates the mentality of young men. Honour-related violence mainly victimises women but also men. 3 Honour-related crimes have a transnational component and cannot be seen as being limited within specific geographical borders. Such practices are gaining ground as they spread themselves in many parts of the world. Violence in the name of honour deserves the collective attention of the international community. 4 The segregation and seclusion of migrant communities make people vulnerable to negative traditional practices including honour-related crimes. 5 There is a need for better attention to the collection of reliable sta- tistical data on honour-related crimes. Figures available are grossly underestimated and governments should set up mechanisms to col- lect reliable statistics and information about such crimes. It should be noted that a variety of violent acts such as suicide, so-called acci- dental death, death by burning and self-immolation could also be a

37 “Governments bear the primary responsibility in protecting the life and integrity of all their citizens regardless of gender, reli- gion or ethnicity.”

result of honour-related crimes. 6 Decision-makers must interact with all parts of civil society in their work to combat honour-related crimes. At the same time govern- ments must be wary of allowing religious leaders a predominant role in defining gender issues and in monopolising leadership of civil society groups. 7 Governments bear primary responsibility in protecting the life and integrity of all their citizens regardless of gender, religion or ethnici- ty. They are encouraged to take proactive steps in addressing the special needs of migrant communities to ensure better opportuni- ties for employment and education as well as access to linguistic learning. They are particularly invited to present creative opportu- nities to young people, who can be an invaluable asset in promoting the values of human rights. 8 The Government of Sweden should set up an international network to devise creative strategies and actions to combat honour-related crimes. These should include drawing up international strategies and actions, specially tailored to the needs of each society. There is also a need for mechanisms within Interpol and Europol that will improve their work with honour-related crimes. 9 Fighting violence in the name of honour is paramount to promoting democracy. 10 It is crucial to give more attention to comprehensive education on sexuality in the school curricula and to the overall portrayal of women in society and the media.

Conclusions from group 3 Focus on human rights and gender justice to combat patriarchal and male violence towards women and the oppression of women Chair: Ms Jacqueline Hunt, Equality Now, UK

1 Governments should use all available opportunities to reaffirm agreed human rights standards and give a strong message that vio- lence against women is unacceptable in any context. 2 There should be total rejection of arguments of cultural relativism and measures to combat patriarchal control of women’s bodies and sexuality should be strengthened.

38 “There should be total rejection of arguments of cultural relativism and measures to combat patriarchal control of women’s bodies and sex- uality should be strengthened.”

3 All governments should be encouraged to ratify human rights instru- ments without reservations and to remove existing reservations. There should be timely reporting to human rights committees. 4 The EU and the Council of Europe should be encouraged to declare 2006 as a year of combating violence against women, and to use this as a mechanism to support awareness raising and implemen- tation of programmes to combat violence against women. 5 There should be funding for international human rights commit- tees, particularly the CEDAW committee, and for other internation- al organisations to train national legislatures on the provisions of human rights instruments. 6 The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) should appoint a Special Rapporteur on laws that discriminate against women who would work very closely with the CEDAW committee. 7 Development cooperation should be made contingent on respect for women’s rights. 8 There should be facilitation of more international networking and training of judges, police, prosecutors, etc. 9 There should be education at national level to change sexual stereo- types and to increase and strengthen awareness of violence against women and ways to combat it. 10 Governments should collect national statistics on violence against women and honour crimes in particular. 11 There should be insistence on the empowerment of women in the economic, social and political fields as part of a holistic approach to combating violence against women. 12 Women and women’s NGOs should be properly resourced. 13 National laws and policies should be enforced to combat violence against women and specialised law enforcement measures, including special police units, should be created to ensure appropriate treat- ment of women who have been subjected to violence. 14 There should be no derogation from agreed standards promoting and protecting the human rights of women but there should be recognition of cultural and situational obstacles that may require adaptation of strategies to combat violence against women. 15 Approaches should be made to local bar associations and retired law enforcement personnel to take up cases of violence against women and to train their peers on appropriate enforcement of the

39 “Actions to combat violence against women and gender-based violence must also deal with linkages to structures of racism and poverty rather than as isolated phenomena.”

law to protect women from violence. 16 There should be outreach to leaders at state, local and community level as well as to men generally to speak out against violence against women. 17 An international non-governmental pedagogical network should be created and funded to design and distribute materials for adaptation at the community level to raise issues of violence against women and methodologies to combat it.

Conclusions from group 4 Making visible connections between international obligations and action at the national level Chair: Mr Carl Söderberg, Secretary-General, Swedish Amnesty

There are evident linkages between international obligations and national obligations and measures, particularly with regard to states’ responsibility for the prevention of gender-based violence and for pro- tection of victims. While states have a major responsibility to exercise due diligence, non-state actors also have important roles to play. Actions to combat violence against women and gender-based violence must also deal with linkages to structures of racism and poverty rather than as isolated phenomena. Dissemination of information and awareness-raising materials must be done in a manner that is significant and meaningful for the women con- cerned to help them become more aware of their rights and of the duties of governments. Empowerment of women is also crucial. Legislative changes at national level are required but often present obstacles or prob- lems. For example, it is crucial to be vigilant in terms of interpretations of code words such as “modesty”, “chastity” and other terms cited in legal decisions and processes and institutionalised structures that deny women’s sexual and reproductive rights. The effectiveness in following up laws and their application are decisive, as are resources. Non-state actors are important if not essential in supporting the implementation of laws. It is also important to recognise and address the fact that some of these actors also have a detrimental impact, not only some religious leaders but also other non-state actors. The role and responsibilities of non-state actors when it comes to combating gender-

40 “To eliminate and prevent violence in the name of honour, we must address the root-causes of patriarchal violence and aim at changing the attitudes in societies and communities that encour- age, accept or tolerate violent behaviour in the name of honour.”

based violence are parts of a much broader state-citizen relationship in which the state is not and cannot be a neutral party. In this regard, it is necessary to move away from state-centeredness, since other categories of actors are also important and can, through interaction with the state, improve its performance and accountability. This applies, not least when it comes to protecting and strengthening the status of women, for example in issues of migration and gender-based violence in the name of honour as grounds for asylum. New mechanisms can be needed, but it is also necessary to support existing mechanisms by giving them adequate resources. Effectiveness and relevance are key. We must also be aware of the links between vio- lence, democracy and human rights and overall policies to enhance the status of women. We also need to promote bilateral co-operation to combat these problems, both in terms of rendering technical assistance and in terms of moral support.

Conclusions from group 5 Preventive measures and the protection of victims Chair: Ms Ingrid Bellander-Todino, Grant Programme Manager, the EU Commission

On the basis of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Working Towards the Elimination of Crimes Against Women and Girls Committed in the Name of Honour (15 October 2004, A/C.3/59/L.25) and in order to eliminate and prevent violence in the name of honour, we must address the root-causes of patriarchal violence and aim at changing the attitudes in societies and communities that encourage, accept or tolerate violent behaviour in the name of honour. Societies must work to enlighten men and empower women. Societies must also learn from and involve grass-roots organisations on a long-term basis.

PROPOSALS AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 1 for the Swedish Government to take the initiative to establish a UN Commission on gender-related violence, 2 for the UN, or another appropriate international body, to take the ini- tiative, together with civil society groups, to launch an International Year on Violence against Women.

41 Questions were raised on using the term “honour” in defining crimes and violence against women.

3 for the Swedish Government to take the initiative to set up an international and multidisciplinary think tank aimed, inter alia, at replacing the term “honour-related violence” with another, given the fact that the word “honour” has positive connotations in a number of languages that may be used to justify this motive for violence.

PROPOSALS FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL 1 for data on honour-related violence to be collected and statistics created, 2 for appropriate legislation to be enacted and implemented, based on international resolutions to combat patriarchal violence, 3 for the adoption of gender equality policies, 4 for resources to be allocated to actions that empower women and enlighten men, that strengthen the police and judicial system and educate and train all professionals involved in cases of honour-relat- ed violence, 5 for cooperation with, support and learning from civil society and grass-roots organisations.

PROPOSALS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL Long- and short-term education and training of all groups of society: children at school and women and men, to learn and understand human and democratic values and equal rights, and provide sexual education. Good examples to learn from are peer-to-peer training among young people, the training of men on masculinity, and pre-mar- riage and parental courses. The social services, in collaboration with NGOs, must also ensure protective and supportive measures through shelters and alternative housing for victims and counselling for both victims and potential and actual (mostly male) perpetrators.

Summary of subsequent plenary discussion

Questions were raised on using the term “honour” in defining crimes and violence against women. Several speakers strongly questioned the use of the word “honour” in this context and stated that violence had nothing to do with honour. Others were of the opinion that a particular

42 “Concerns were expressed that few religious lead- ers had stood up to defend the rights of women and to counteract patriarchal violence against women, particularly violence in the name of honour.”

label given to a phenomenon is of secondary importance and the most important thing is to condemn the behaviour and its consequences. Several comments and questions from the participants concerned the role of religious leaders and how that issue should be addressed in the concluding text of the conference. It was generally agreed that such leaders play a crucial role in moral issues and attitudes on gender roles. However, several participants saw the risk of inviting religious leaders in discussions on rights and agendas for women. Concerns were expressed that few religious leaders had stood up to defend the rights of women and to counteract patriarchal violence against women, par- ticularly violence in the name of honour. Thus, several speakers stated the need for challenging clerics, not just using them as channels for control or giving them more opportunities for misuse of power, as it was considered of utmost importance that religious leaders speak out strongly against violence in the name of honour. While religious lead- ers may have an important role to play, it was also stressed that of greater importance was the need for states to take the full responsibili- ty in protecting their citizens. It was recommended that the EU declare 2006 as a year of combat- ing violence against women, an issue that has been discussed for several years in the Commission. It was noted that such a decision would facili- tate the follow up of the recommendations of the Stockholm confer- ence within the EU. It would also reinforce the decision of the Council of Europe to declare 2006 a year for combating domestic violence. It was also recommended that international development coopera- tion should work with measures to combat patriarchal violence. A question was raised as to why a number of high-level government ministers and other dignitaries were present at the conference when it would have been better to allow for more participation of representa- tives from women’s organisations or women’s advocacy groups since they include those who are directly affected. The moderators replied that many NGO's were indeed taking part in the conference as one of the ideas was to create a space for to meet with and influence decsion- makers from govenrnents, organisations like the EU and the UN as well as researcers and media representatives.

43 Professor Cheriet invited conference participants to reflect upon the genesis of mail violence againt women and to consider patriarchy as violence in itself.

Third panel

Dr. Boutheina Cheriet, Professor of Education, University of Algiers

Rather than addressing the “pragmatics” of how best to combat patriar- chal violence against women, Professor Cheriet invited conference par- ticipants to reflect upon the genesis of mail violence againt women and to consider patriarchy as violence in itself. She argued that patri- archy infuses even the very foundations of our knowledge systems as well as our representation of the world. These are imposed on us all in some way or another. It is necessary therefore to look into the patriar- chal order through the lenses of gender analysis and to do something about it in a fundamental sense. Violence against women, especially in its extreme forms, is the resilient outcome of sacrificial rites that have chosen females as ideal victims. Moreover, Professor Cheriet ventured to say, such violence might also be symptomatic of hegemonic males and patriarchy as endangered species, desperate to prevail at any cost. She encouraged women to capture humanity for themselves and through their own interpretations and perceptions rather than to con- tinue to accept male supremacy and patriarchy in all its forms – including post-war and new forms with their adherents of modernity and development for all – as the legitimate order.

Mr Manuel Lezertua, Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe

Director Lezertua summed up the work of the Council of Europe concerning the protection of women’s rights since 1979. In 2002, an integrated project was launched entitled ‘Responses to violence in everyday life’, in which violence against women is a central theme. A number of recommendations and resolutions have been adopted by the Council, including Resolution 1327 (2003) on honour crimes. This resolution sets out various measures that governments should undertake, and calls upon Member States to adopt new legal measures aimed at preventing and prosecuting crimes committed in the name of honour as well as at protecting victims. Mr Lezertua pointed out that

44 “It is essential to recognise killings and other violence in the name of honour for the crimes that they are. Turning a blind eye to these crimes means accepting them.”

killings in the name of honour should be regarded as part of a much greater problem, that of violence against women. They constitute both serious crimes and transgressions of human rights. It is our collective responsibility to combat and prosecute such crimes through three basic types of measures: legal, preventive and protective measures. It is essen- tial to recognise killings and other violence in the name of honour for the crimes that they are. Turning a blind eye to these crimes means accepting them. All forms of discrimination against women must be abolished.

Dr. Hedia Belhadj, Deputy Director, UNFPA, Division for Arab States and Europe

Dr. Belhadj underscored Sweden’s continuous support to the imple- mentation of the International Conference on Population and Develop- ment (ICPD) Programme of Action and to the UNFPA, particularly with regard to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and to a rights-based approach as a central element of sustainable development. The ICPD and the Beijing Platform for Action reinforce one another. Protection of the body, reproductive and sexual health is central to the attainment of the UN Millennium Developments Goals. She noted that human rights, and reproductive rights in particular, are under attack and that in the last two years repeated attempts have been made to open up and retract on agreed principles and recommended actions from international conventions and conferences. However, a 2003 UNFPA global survey yielded many encouraging results – such as the adoption of national legislation including laws to counter and pun- ish gender-based violence, ratification of UN conventions and estab- lishment of national commissions for women in more than half of the 151 developing countries responding. Many challenges remain, however, and purely legal approaches are insufficient. Crimes committed in the name of honour must be addressed in a holistic, multidisciplinary, context-specific manner and at all levels, together with those affected in different sectors of the communities. It is essential to avoid provoking racist stereotypes and backlashes. Both short-term strategies and long-term, transformational interventions are required and advocacy, broad-based dialogue, awareness raising and

45 “Violence in the name of honour must become an item on the political agenda. It is important to understand why men are violent and to explore the connection between male culture and violence”

training are essential. Activities such as engaging religious and commu- nity leaders require great care and a sound methodology.

Ms Irene Simantoni, Barrister, the Council of the European Union

Ms Simantoni issued a call for reflecting on 21st century male gender roles and male values together with men, to examine links with con- flict and gender-based violence including violence in the name of hon- our. She pointed out that norms of masculinity, male ideals, cultures and traditions remain virtually unchanged. It is essential that we under- stand why violence is an important feature and component of some male gender roles. Ms Simantoni emphasised the importance of under- standing why men are violent, and of exploring the connection between male culture and violence. It was also necessary to consider women’s roles and the ways in which women encourage male violence in con- flicts of various kinds as well as domestic violence against other women. In this connection, we must also examine the role of the media and the reasons that women themselves have for choosing to stay in the roles imposed on them. The EU has not yet explicitly addressed crimes against women com- mitted in the name of honour due largely to the fact that all crimes are dealt with under criminal law. However, the EU has adopted a number of principles and instruments related to these issues, such as the principle of equal treatment of women and men, legislation against sexual harassment in the workplace and promoting the protection of women and children against sexual exploitation. The Daphne pro- gramme, which provides for community-based measures to prevent and address violence against children and women, and to protect vic- tims and groups at risk is an example of further action. The European Council acknowledged the commitments outlined in Beijing in 1995 and since then, the Council for Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Affairs conducts annual implementation reviews of the Beijing Platform for Action. Action needed now includes information and awareness raising regarding the stringent EU immigration regula- tions and how these affect women asylum seekers. Violence in the name of honour must become an item on the political agenda.

46 Summary of the subsequent plenary discussion

The idea that patriarchy in itself is violence was discussed and it was suggested that an alternative perspective could regard patriarchy as a structure that enables violence just as other systems of oppression do. Professor Cheriet replied that nuances of the kind suggested were not useful, since violence is produced irrespective of whether a patriarchy is merely conducive to violence or whether patriarchy is inherently part of violence as a system.

47 Effective, enforceable legislation and enhanced efforts to guarantee access to justice for women is required, and to change norms, attitudes and perceptions that are discriminatory to females. It is also important to empower women and girls.

Closing statement by the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Laila Freivalds

Minister Freivalds thanked all the participants for their valuable con- tributions to the conference. She emphasised that violence against women in the name of honour is based on outdated traditions and patriarchal norms, values and structures that discriminate against women and girls. In dealing with the violence itself, it is necessary to question and challenge these underlying notions and structures. She also noted that violence against women is not a feature of any parti- cular region, culture or religion. Rather, it is a worldwide phenomenon caused by a number of various circumstances, beliefs and cultural habits in conjunction with one another. Ironically, modernisation and progress in one area can lead to a backlash in others when it comes to respect for women’s rights. The Minister reiterated and confirmed the conclusions reached by the conference participants concerning the necessity to work on several fronts. Effective, enforceable legislation and enhanced efforts to guar- antee access to justice for women is required, as well as consistent and unrelenting work to change norms, attitudes and perceptions that are discriminatory to women and girls. It is also important to empower women and girls to render them less vulnerable to violence. Govern- ments have a particular responsibility for both types of measures, which must be considered to be two sides of the same coin. Governments also have a fundamental obligation to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other international human rights conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimin- ation against Women (CEDAW). Both government authorities and civil society must share knowledge, experiences, best practices and lessons learned, and continue to work together to raise awareness: “ Civil society must …put pressure on gov- ernments to do more. Together we must bring policy into action and action into change so that we can start the process of bringing both new legislation and new attitudes forward.” Minister Freivalds stressed particularly the necessity of men sharing this responsibility. “The per-

48 “The perpetrators of violence in the name of honour are often fathers, brothers and other male relatives. Therefore men also must take initiatives to change attitudes among themselves.”

petrators of violence in the name of honour are often fathers, brothers and other male relatives. Therefore men also must take initiatives to change attitudes among themselves.” Governments’ responsibility to prevent this violence, raise awareness and inform and educate includes the police, judges and others responsible for upholding the enforcement of the law. Acts of violence in the name of honour are illegal and con- stitute criminal offences. The promotion of gender equality is a central and prioritised issue for the Swedish Government. Combating gender-based discrimination and strengthening women’s empowerment are crucial for sustainable devel- opment, and Sweden therefore works both bilaterally and multilaterally to address the multifaceted issue of all forms of violence against women, including trafficking, denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights, crimes in the name of honour, female genital mutilation and other tra- ditional practices that are harmful to women and girls. Minister Freivalds welcomed the Resolution on Working Towards the Elimination of Crimes Against Women and Girls Committed in the Name of Honour recently adopted by the UN General Assembly, and the renewed global commitment it represents. She remarked on the clear message of the Resolution and expressed satisfaction because it highlights the responsibility of men to promote gender equality and bring about changes in attitudes to eliminate gender stereotypes, as well as the importance of supporting services in the area of sexual and reproductive health. The Minister expressed hope that the ten-year review of the imple- mentation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action during the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2005 will represent fur- ther milestones in combating and criminalising all forms of violence against women, regardless of whether they are committed in the private or the public sphere. She vowed further to take with her the conclusions and recommendations from the conference to the next meeting of women foreign ministers to be held in Geneva in the spring of 2005. The Minister closed with a promise of continued engagement: “One of the statements made during this conference was that silence is coercive, silence is consent. It is always important to bring issues concerning vio- lence against women and violations of human rights into the public debate such as this conference.” She promised that Sweden would not be silent and she hoped that no other country would be either.

49 “The root-causes of overall patriarchal violence must be addressed, by combating perceptions of male superiority and female subordination as well as interpretations of masculini- ties that reinforce patriarchal structures and male violence.”

Concluding comments and a Call for Action from the Chair

International Conference on “Combating Patriarchal Violence Against Women – Focusing on Violence in the Name of Honour”, Stockholm, 7– 8 December 2004

Patriarchal violence is a threat to individual freedom and life, to gender justice and development. It must be addressed in all its forms, and at all levels. It occurs throughout the world and in all classes and groups of societies. Its expressions differ but are basically rooted in percep- tions of male superiority and female subordination. It is often the last resort to maintain existing power structures when women and girls challenge the fact that they are denied rights to which men and boys, as males, are entitled by birth. Violence in the name of honour is one form of patriarchal violence often connected with the lack of bodily integrity, freedom of move- ment, gainful employment and economic independence. A specific feature is that it is openly encouraged and sanctioned, within families and communities. The UN General Assembly Resolution A/C.3/59/L.25 declares the obligation of States to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish the perpetrators of crimes committed against women and girls in the name of honour and to provide protection to the victims and that not to do so violates, impairs or nullifies the enjoyment of their human rights. The Resolution highlights the responsibility of men to promote gender equality and to change attitudes to eliminate gender stereotypes. It also stresses the importance of support to the victims, including protection, counselling and health care comprising sexual, reproductive and psychological health. Thus, the Chair of the international conference on combating patri- archal violence, held in Stockholm on 7–8 December 2004 issues the following Call for Action: 1 The root-causes of overall patriarchal violence must be addressed, by combating perceptions of male superiority and female subordi- nation as well as interpretations of masculinities that reinforce patriarchal structures and male violence.

50 “Violence in the name of honour must be combated as an obstacle to women’s enjoyment of human rights. Interpretations of honour as strongly connected with female chastity must be challenged.”

2 Violence in the name of honour must be combated as an obstacle to women’s enjoyment of human rights. Interpretations of honour as strongly connected with female chastity must be challenged. It can never be accepted that customs, traditions or religious consider- ations are invoked to avoid obligations to eradicate violence against women and girls, including violence in the name of honour. 3 Violence against women must be addressed from a rights-based perspective within a broad range of measures to promote gender equality, by empowering women and girls and by raising awareness among men in order to fight men’s silence on patriarchal violence. Measures should be taken in the areas of legislation, employment, education and sexual and reproductive health and rights. 4 Respect for women’s enjoyment of human rights is intrinsically linked to democracy. International conventions must be incorporat- ed into national legislation. States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights, including the right to life, liberty and security of persons, and to give priority to this by providing ade- quate resources. 5 International cooperation to more effectively address patriarchal violence, focusing on violence in the name of honour, should be encouraged and expanded, through international organisations such as the UN, the Council of Europe, Interpol and Europol and region- ally, through organisations such as the EU, the Organisation of Islamic Conferences (OIC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Civil society, including NGOs, are important partners of governments in this pursuit.

“It can never be accepted that customs, traditions or religious considerations are invoked to avoid obligations to eradicate violence against women and girls, including violence in the name of honour.”

51

ANNEX 1

Programme

Tuesday 7 December

08.30–09.30 Registration of participants 09.30–09.45 Welcoming address by Mr Jens Orback, Swedish Minister for Democracy, Metropolitan Affairs, Integration and Gender Equality

09.45–10.00 Addresses by Ms Ulla Hoffman, Second Deputy Chair of the Left Party Sweden, and Ms Lotta Nilsson Hedström, Member of Parliament, the Green Party Sweden

10.00–10.20 Testimony of violence in the name of honour

10.20–10.45 Key-note speaker, Ms Güldal Aksit, State Minister, Turkey (interpretation provided)

10.45–11.15 Coffee break

11.15–12.45 HIGH-LEVEL PANEL DISCUSSION Ms Nilofar Bakhtiar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Women Development, Pakistan; Ms Magdalena Sroda, Under Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Status of Men and Women, Poland; Ms Zorayha Rahim Sobrany, Deputy Minister for Women's Affairs, Afghanistan; Mr Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

12.45–14.00 Luncheon

14.00–14.15 Key-note speaker, Ms Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

14.15–15.45 PANEL DISCUSSION Ms Ayse Feride Acar, Chair, UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; Ms Shahrzad Mojab, Associate Professor, Institute for Women's Studies and Gender Studies, University of Toronto, Canada; Ms LaShawn R. Jefferson, Executive Director, Women's Rights Division, Human Rights Watch; Ms Rana Husseini, Journalist, Jordan

15.45–16.00 Project presentation; Sharaf Heroes Sweden

16.00–16.30 Coffee break

16.30–18.15 Working group discussions (5 groups)

19.00 Reception and buffet dinner

54 ANNEX 1

Wednesday 8 December

09.00–10.30 Working group discussions (cont.)

10.30–11.00 Coffee break

11.00–12.00 Working group discussions – summing up and preparing for the plenary

12.00–13.15 Luncheon

13.15–14.15 Working groups report back to plenary

14.15–15.15 Coffee break

11.15–12.45 CONCLUDING PANEL DISCUSSION Ms Boutheina Cheriet, Professor of Education, University of Algiers, Algeria; Mr Manuel Lezertua, Director, Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe; Ms Hedia Belhadj, Deputy Director, Division for Arab States and Europe, UNFPA; Ms Irene Simantoni, Barrister, General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union

15.15–15.45 Closing address by Ms Laila Freivalds, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, and concluding comments and call for action from the chair

55 ANNEX 2

List of participants

Abu Ghazaleh, Haifa Aldebe, Mahmoud Begikhani, Nazand Regional Program Director, Counsellor, Swedish Muslim Dr, Kurdish Women Action UNIFEM Arab States Regional Union, Sweden Against Honour Killings, Office, UN United Kingdom Al-Hadidi, Mu´men Abu-Dayyeh, Suad Chief Consultant, National Bekic Larsen, Jasmina Head, Social Work Unit, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Project Assistant, County Womens Centre for Legal Aid Jordan Administrative Board in Skåne and Counselling, Jerusalem Sweden Ali, Salma Acar, Feride Advocate, Bangladesh Women Belhadj, Hedia Professor, Chairperson, CEDAW, Lawyers Association, Deputy Director, UNFPA UN Committee on the Elimin- Bangladesh Division for Arab States and ation of Discrimination against Europe, UN Almström, Maria Women Political Adviser, Left party, Bellander Todino, Ingrid Adly, Nancy Sweden Daphne Programme Manager, Director, International Relations European Commission, EU Alston, Philip Unit, Center for Egyptian Special Rapporteur, extrajudici- Bengtsson, Andreas Women's Legal Assistance, al, summary and arbitrary exe- Desk Officer, Ministry for Egypt cutions, United Nations Foreign Affairs, Sweden Ag, Lena Andersson, Tommy Bergh, Lise Member of Cabinet, European EU Coordinator, Ministry for State Secretary, Ministry of Commission, EU Foreign Affairs, Sweden Justice, Sweden Aghaee, Mana Avci, Gulan Bergman, Cecilia Head, Women´s Commission, Vice president, National Director General, Legal Affairs, Iranian Federation in Association of Kurds, Sweden Ministry of Justice, Sweden Stockholm, Sweden Bakhtiar, Nilofar Bielecka, Ewa Akkoc, Nebahat Advisor to the Prime Minister, Chief Specialist, Chancellery General Coordinator, of Kamer, Ministry of Women Develop- of the Prime Minister, Poland KAMER Women's Center, Turkey ment, Pakistan Björling, Bam Aksit, Güldal Bakker, Hilde Chair, Kvinnoforum, Sweden State Minister, Prime Ministry, Project Leader, TransAct, Turkey Bredal, Anja The Netherlands PhD, Norwegian Institute for Akyuz, Cemal Balta, Berin Social Research, Norway Assistant to the Embassador Press Secretary, National Embassy of Sweden – Ankara, Bremer, Sevil Federation of Social Democra- Turkey Psychologist and Psycho- tic Women in Sweden, Sweden therapist, Save the Children Al Habash, Muhammad Barqasho, Gabriel Sweden Dr Syrian Parliament and Dean, Syrian Orthodox Church, Islamic Studies Center, Syria Centerwall, Erik Sweden Sexuality Educator and Writer, Al-Baldawi, Fatima Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Med. Dr, Orient Health, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Sweden Rights, Sweden

56 ANNEX 2

Cheriet, Boutheina Eskandari, Ahmad Hayran, Gülnur Professor of Education, Representative, Kurdish Women Head, The Human Rights University of Algiers, Algeria Action Against Honour Killings, Department AK Party, Turkey Sweden Ciraku, Erarba Hedström, Lotta Specialist and Assistant, Faraj Rehim, Runak Representative, Green Party, Comittee for Equal Opportu- Programme Manager, Women´s Sweden nities, Albania Media and Education CentreIraq Hertting, Peter Dahlgren, Lillemor Favreau-Brettel, Michéle Director, The Public Prose- Head, Gender Equality Affairs, Senior Officer, Ministry for cution Authority, Public County Administrative Board in Parity and Professional Prosecutor Authority, Sweden Skåne, Sweden Equality, France Hoffman, Ulla Dahlstrand, Lotta Ferrari de Carli, Eli Member of Parliament, PhD, Children´s Ombudsman, Adviser, Ministry of Local Left Party, Sweden Sweden Government, Norway Hunt, Jaqueline Danho, Maria Forsberg, Meri Helena Director, Equality Now, Representative, Syrian Orthodox Chair, RIFFI, Sweden United Kingdom Church, Sweden Frantzi, Marianna Husseini, Rana Darvishpour, Mehrdad Superintendent, A´CYPRUS / Reporter and Activist, Jordan PhD, University of Stockholm, Police, Cyprus Times, Jordan Sweden Freivalds, Laila Jahangir, Asma Dismorr, Anne Minister for Foreign Affairs , Special Rapporteur, freedom Ambassador, Embassy of Sweden of religion or belief, United Sweden – Ankara, Sweden Nations, UN Gill, Aisha Ekstedt, Anna Dr, University of Surrey Jamieson, Deborah Desk Officer, Ministry of Roehampton, United Kingdom Advisor, Home Office, United Justice, Sweden Kingdom Goldbeck-Löwe, Camilla Eldén, Åsa Desk Officer, Ministry of Javaheri, Alireza PhD, University of Uppsala Justice, Sweden Desk Officer, Ministry for Sweden Foreign Affairs, Sweden Gorlick, Brian Elias, Misrak Regional Protection Officer Jefferson, LaShawn Country Representative, UNHCR, Regional Office for Executive Director, UNICEF South Africa, UN the Baltic & Nordic Countries, Human Rights Watch, USA Sweden Elkatmis, Mehmet Johansson, Sofia Head, the Human Rights Grette, Anne-Lise Political Adviser, Left Party, Inquiries Commission, Turkish Senior Adviser, Ministry of Sweden Parliament, Turkey Children and Family Affairs, Johansson, Lasse Norway Ener, Zeynep Project Leader, County Interpretor, Turkey Grutzky, Eduardo Administrative Board in Västra Project Manager, Götaland, Sweden Engström, Stefan Fryshuset/ELEKTRA, Sweden Press Secretary, Ministry of Johansson, Eva Lotta Environment, Sweden Haider, Yasmin Desk Officer, Ministry of Lawyer, Insaaf Welfare Trust, Justice, Sweden Eriksson, Anne Pakistan Attaché, Johansson, Lars G Embassy of Finland, Stockholm, Hamednaca, Arhe Director, Ministry of Justice, Finland Political Adviser, Ministry of Sweden Justice, Sweden Eriksson, Marianne Representative, Left Party, Sweden

57 ANNEX 2

Johansson, Ann Kolthoff, Kirsti Mc Phail, Mary Senior Administrative Officer, Board Member, Swedish Secretary General, European National Board of Health and Women´s Lobby, Sweden Women´s Lobby, Belgium Welfare, Sweden Kulbay, Serpil Medjedovic, Natasa Johnsson-Latham, Gerd Board Member, Turkish Youth Program Coordinator, SoS Deputy Director, Ministry for Federation, Sweden Hotline for Women & Children Foreign Affairs, Sweden Victims of Violence, Serbia Lang, Andreja and Montenegro Jönsson, Anita Head of Division, Ministry of Member of Parliament, Social Justice of the Republic of Mehra, Mahdu Democratic Party, Sweden Slovenia, Slovenia Executive Director, Partners for Law in Developement, Jönsson, Mona Larsen, Sanne India Member of Parliament, Green Head of Section, Ministry of Party, Sweden Refugees, Imigration and Milatovic´, Irena Assistant, Government of Kakabaveh, Amineh Integration, Denmark Montenegro, Serbia and Chair, Supportive Committee Latif, Khanim Montenegro for Kurdish Women, Sweden Programme Manager, Asuda Milton, Anders Kamal, Sultana for Combating Violence Against Women, Iraq President, Swedish Red Cross, Executive Director, Ain- O- Sweden Salish Kendra, Bangladesh Lemberg, Ulla Mjörnell, Rigmor Karlberg, Susanne Film Maker, Sweden Coordinator, Gender Legal Expert, National Courts Lezertua, Manuel Development Network, Sweden Administration, Sweden Director, Council of Europe, Moawad, Nayla Kavaf, Selma Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, CoE President, René Moawad Chair, AK Party´s Women´s Foundation, Lebanon Association, Turkey Lindblom, Anna-Karin Mohaqiq, Mohammad Kaya, Abdulkadir Special Advicer, Ministry of Justice, Sweden Legal Adviser, Ministry of Adviser to the Minister, Woman Affairs, Afghanistan Prime Ministry, Turkey Linde, Vysse Mojab, Shahrzad Kelemen, Niklas PhD, Candidate Psychologi, Stockholm University, CEIFO Associate Professor and Direc- Social Worker, Save the Sweden tor, Institute for Woman´s Children, Sweden Studies and Gender Studies, Lindroth, Helen-Dominique Khaki, Muhammad Aslam Canada Swedish Commission of Dr, Insaaf Welfare Trust, Justice and Peace, Sweden Morina, Destan Pakistan Chair, National Association of Lindsten, Simone Khan, Sona Albanian Sweden Head, Gender Equality Affairs, Advocate, Supreme Court, County Administrative Board in Mousa, Daad The Khan´s Law, India Västra Götaland, Sweden Lawyer, Syria Kielan, Abd al Haqq Ludvigsson, Anne Mårtensson, Carina Imam, Swedish Islamic Member of Parliament, Social Deputy Director, Ministry for Association, Sweden Democratic Party, Sweden Foreign Affairs, Sweden Kleinsorge, Tanja Lundgren, Eva Nevstad, Camilla Secretary, Committee on Equal Professor, University of Desk Officer, Ministry of Opportunities, CoE Uppsala, Sweden Justice, Sweden Klum, Anita Malaj, Nora Nordlander, Jan Secretary General, Swedish Chair, Committee for Equal Ambassador, Ministry for NGO-foundation for Human Opportunities, Albania Foreign Affairs, Sweden Rights, Sweden

58 ANNEX 2

Nujen, Debbie Rhoden, Yvonne Sihem, Habchi Vice President, Terrafem, Detective Constable, Metro- Vice President, Ni Putes Ni Sweden politan Police Service, New Soumises, France Scotland Yard, United Kingdom Ohlsson, Carina Simantoni, Irene Member of Parliament, Social Ringqvist, Ellen Barrister Council, European Democratic Party, Sweden Legal Adviser, Swedish Union Migration Board, Sweden Olasdotter, Anna Skagerö, Mariette Public Prosecutor, Public Riza, Shaha Legal Counsellor, Aliens Prosecutor Authority, Sweden Senior Gender Specialist, Appeals Board, Sweden World Bank, WB Olsen, Inger Lise Soliman, Azza Adviser, Gender Issues, Rizvi, Majida General Director, Center for Church of Sweden, Sweden Chair, National Commission on Egyptian Womens Legal the Status of Woman, Pakistan Assistance, Egypt Orback, Jens Minister for Democracy, Metro- Rouhana, Zoya Spahiaj, Adim politan Affairs, Integration and General Coordinator, Lebanese Secretary, Albanian National Gender Equality, Ministry of Council to Resist Violence Association in Sweden, Sweden Justice, Sweden Against Women, Lebanon Spurek, Sylwia Pedersen, Gry Runegrund, Rosita Specialist, Office of the Govern- International Coordinator, Member of Parliament, ment Plenipotentiary for Equal Danish Women Society, Christian Democratic Party, Status of Men and Women, Denmark Sweden Poland Pekgul, Nalin Rönquist, Anders Sroda, Magdalena Chair, the National Federation Deputy Director-General, Undersecretary of State, of Social Democratic Women Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Government Plenipotentiary for in Sweden, Sweden Sweden Equal Status of Men and Women, Poland Pope, Nicole Sahlin, Mona Journalist/writer, Turkey Minister for Sustainable Staaf, Catharina Development, Sweden Deputy Director, Ministry of Puisyte, Lyra Justice, Sweden Counsellor, Embassy of the Sallander, Erika Republic of Lithuania, Social Analyst, Swedish Stenvinkel, Enisa Lithuania Integration Board, Sweden Chair, Women´s Union of Swedish Islamic Association, Rahim Sobrany, Surayha Sbaity-Kassem, Fatima Sweden Deputy minister, Ministry for Director, United Nations Women Affairs, Afghanistan Economic Social Commission Svahnström, Annika for the West, UN Consul, Consulate General of Ramizi-Bala, Ardita Sweden, Istanbul, Sweden Coordinator, Gender Based Schlytter, Astrid Violence Program, Women Associate Professor, University Svensén, Ann Wellnes Center, Serbia and of Stockholm, Sweden Director, External Relations, Montenegro Swedish Association for Sen, Purna Sexuality Education, Sweden Regnér, Åsa Dr, London School of Political Adviser, Ministry of Economics, United Kingdom Svensson, Anneli Justice, Sweden Counsellor, Swedish Federa- Sevim, Fatma tion for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Reyes, Maria-Pilar Project Coordinator, BATMAN, and Transgender Rights, Sweden Program Coordinator, County Turkey Administrative Board of Söderbergh, Carl Shaditalab, Jaleh Stockholm, Sweden Director, Amnesty Director, Women Studies International, Sweden University of Teheran, Iran

59 ANNEX 2

Söderheim, Maria Weiland, Meltem Ytteborg, Sissel Bye Informant, Swedish Association Orientexpress Women Advisory Senior Adviser, Ministry of of Women’s Shelters, Sweden Center, Austria Children and Family Affairs, Norway Tawalbeh, Isra Vifell, Lena-Karin Dr, Ministry of Health, Jordan Inspector, National Police Zaoui, Zahra Board, Sweden President, Association Oujda Tejler, Peter Ain Ghazal, Morocco Ambassador, Ministry for Wikan, Unni Foreign Affairs, Sweden Professor, University of Oslo, Åhré Älgamo, Kickis Norway Detective, National Criminal Thapar-Bjorkert, Suruchi Investigation Department, Wirth, Judit Dr, Lecturer, University of Sweden Bristol, United Kingdom Chair, Nane Women´s Rights Association, Hungary Ålund, Aleksandra Thibault, Jacqueline Professor, University of von Wachenfeldt, Ireen President of the Board, Linköping, Sweden Executive Director SURGIR President, National Organiza- Foundation, Switzerland tion for Women´s and Young Ölvebro, Hans Women´s Shelter in Sweden, Superintendent, National Tretow, Rhoda Sweden Criminal Investigation Chair, Terre des Femmes, Department, Sweden Germany Woodford Berger, Prudence Special Adviser, Ministry for Özkanat, Osman Wahlström, Conny Foreign Affairs, Sweden Chair, National Association of Political Adviser, Green Party, Turks, Sweden Sweden Wrange, Anna Desk Officer, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden

Secretariat of the conference and how to obtain a copy of the report

Secretariat of the conference

Project-coordinator: Ms Gerd Johnsson-Latham, Deputy Director. Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden [email protected], phone 46-8-405 58 24, cell-phone 46-768 82 12 92 Desk officer Camilla Nevstad, Ministry of Justice [email protected] For copies of the report, full texts of speeches and other relevant information regarding the conference please see www.sweden.gov.se or contact [email protected]

60 ANNEX 3

Brief CVs of speakers

Ms Ayse Feride Acar (UN) Ms Hedia Belhadj (UNFPA) Ayse Feride Acar is Chairperson of the UN Medical Doctor, Endocrinologist, MPH in Health Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Policy and Health Care Management. Currently against Women (CEDAW) since 1997, and was the Deputy Director at the Division for Arab its Rapporteur in 1999 to 2000. She is Professor States in Europe, UNFPA. She has served in of Political Sociology at the Department of various positions at the UN Population Fund Political Science and Public Administration, since September 1989. More than twenty years Middle East Technical University in Ankara, of experience from organizations working with Turkey. She holds a PhD in Sociology from development and population, HIV protection, Bryn Mawr College, USA. and gender equality etc. Belhadj has served in the Ethical and research committees at WHO. Ms Güldal Aksit (Turkey) Graduate in Law from Istanbul University. Ms Ms Ingrid Bellander-Todino (European Güldal Aksit participated in the establishment of Commission) Justice and Development Party in Turkey in 2001. Grant Programme Manager, European Member of the Board of Founders. In 2002, she Commission, Directorate-General Justice, was elected Member of Parliament. She served as Freedom and Security Management of the the 22nd Term Member of Parliament for her con- Commission’s Daphne II Programme to combat stituency Istanbul, and as Minister of Tourism of violence against children, young people and the 58th Government of the Republic of Turkey. women. Post-Graduate Studies (Master) / Currently she is State Minister. Licence Spéciale en Droit Européen, Masters Programme in EC Law. Mr Philip Alston (UN) UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, sum- Ms Boutheina Cheriet (Algeria) mary or arbitrary executions since July 2004. PhD Comparative Education, London University, Chair,UN Committee on Economic, Social and Professor in Comparative Education, and Cultural Rights 1991–1998. In 1989 Indepen- Research Methodology, University of Alger. dent Expert in the UN on long-term effectiveness Member of the Centre d’Information et de of the human rights treaty bodies. Professor of Documentation sur les Droits de l’Enfant et de Law at NY University, and Faculty Director of la Femme (CIDDEF). 2002-2003 Minister in its Center for Human Rights and Global Justice. charge of family and women’s affairs in Algeria. Previously Head of the Law Department at the Cheriet’s has produced several publications, European University Institute in Florence. worked as a journalist and reporter, lectured at the University of Alger. Ms Nilofar Bakhtiar (Pakistan) Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Ms Laila Freivalds (Sweden) head of the Ministry of Women Development, Bachelor of Laws, Uppsala University, Sweden. Social Welfare and Special Education since Minister and Head of the Ministry for Foreign November 2002. Responsible for all issues Affairs since 2003. 2000–2003 Director, relating to women’s development, social welfare Swedish Performing Arts, employers’ organisa- and special education in the federal Government tion for music, dance and theatre. 1994–2000 of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Graduate from Minister and Head of the Ministry of Justice, Punjab University, Pakistan. Master in Public 1991–1994 Lawyer, 1988–1991 Minister and Administration, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, Head of the Ministry of Justice, 1983-1988 USA. Director General, National Board for Consumer Policies and Consumer Ombudsman.

61 ANNEX 3

Ms Jacqueline Hunt (Equality Now, United Mr Manuel Lezertua (Council of Europe) Kingdom) Director, Council of Europe, The Office of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Linguistic and Commissioner on Human Rights. Experience in International Studies, University of Surrey, and the Council of Europe since July 2004. Head of a Master of Science in International Relations, Crime Problems’ Department – Directorate London School of Economics. Worked for General of Legal Affairs – DG I (2003- June Amnesty International in the International 2004). Executive Secretary of the Group of Secretariat in London, and in the USA. Studied States against Corruption, GRECO (1999 – at the College of Law, London, and worked as a 2003). Head of the Economic Crime Division in senior lawyer at the former Commonwealth the Directorate of Legal Affairs (1996-1999). Development Corporation. Director of the Graduated with honours in Law at Deusto London office of Equality Now, an international University (Bilbao), in 1980, and King's College women’s rights organization. (London), in 1982 (LLM).

Ms Rana Husseini (Jordan) Mr Anders Milton (Swedish Red Cross) Human rights activist and investigating journal- President of the Swedish Red Cross. Chairman ist with experience in the Middle East and of Council of the World Medical Association North Africa. Senior reporter with The Jordan (WMA) 1995–2001. In 1978-1990, Clinic of Times. Program coordinator and manager of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala. international projects and networks of contacts Chairman of several boards and has served as with organisations like UNIFEM, Equality Now advisor to the Swedish Delegation to the World and Freedom House. Winner of several interna- Health Assembly on numerous occasions. Med. tional awards, including the Human Rights Dr. PhD and Bachelor of Science; economics Watch award, and the Reebok Human Rights mathematics and statistics, Uppsala University, Award. Sweden.

Ms Asma Jahangir (UN) Ms Shahrzad Mojab (Canada) UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion Associate Professor PhD (Illinois), Department or belief. She is a human rights activist, lawyer, of Adult Education and Counselling Psychology. author and defender of freedoms, especially of Director, Institute for Women's Studies and minorities and women. She is a founding mem- Gender with focus on education, globalization ber of the Human Rights Commission of and learning, critical and feminist pedagogy; Pakistan. From 1998 until July 2004 she was power and difference in the workplace; women, the UN Special Rapporteur on extra judicial, state, globalization and citizenship; women, summary or arbitrary executions. She has spent war, violence and learning; and comparative most of her career defending the rights of analysis of lifelong learning theory and practice. women, religious minorities, and children of Pakistan. Mr Jens Orback (Sweden) Economics school graduate, Stockholm Ms LaShawn R. Jefferson (Human Rights University. Minister for Democracy, Metropolitan Watch, USA) Affairs, Integration and Gender Equality since Director of the Women's Rights Division of October 2004. In 2002-2004 Chairman of a Human Rights Watch (HRW). She has investi- District Council in Stockholm, 1995-1996 gated rape as a weapon of terror in Haiti; Member of the Government’s Delegation of labour rights violations against female workers Gender Equality, 1991-1995 Journalist includ- and live-in domestics in Guatemala, pregnancy- ing at the Swedish Television, 1993-1994 based discrimination in Mexico, and the sexual Member of the Government’s Delegation of and domestic violence against Burundi women fathers, 1986-1990 Desk Officer, Ministry of in refugee camps. Has a B.A. from Connecticut Finance. College and a M.A. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

62 ANNEX 3

Ms Irene Simantoni (Council of the European Ms Magdalena Sroda (Poland) Union) Ph.D. Philosophy, Ethics, Institute for Council of the European Union, DG H Asylum Philosophy of Warsaw University. In August and Migration High Level working Group, and in 2004, appointed Plenipotentiary of the Polish the Policy Unit as policy Counsellor to Mr J. Government for Equal Status of Men and Solana on the Middle East, the Barcelona Women. Widely published in Poland including Process and Africa. Lawyer, research assistant in “Gazeta Wyborcza” with several articles dedi- to the professor of penal law at the University cated to women’s problems. In 1992 she of Munich. signed the appeal of 54 intellectuals to the deputies and senators to reject the draft of the Ms Zorayha Rahim Sobrany (Afghanistan) penalty act for abortion M.S of Medicine Faculty, Mehri High School, Herat, Afghanistan. Dr Zorayha Rahim Sobrany Mr Carl Söderbergh (Amnesty International, is Vice Minister for Women’s Affairs in Sweden) Afghanistan since 2002. Director of Jami Director of the Swedish section of Amnesty Cultural Foundation, Director of Social Affairs International since 1999 with several missions Services for Women, Director of W.H.S.R.O. to the Middle East and to Afghanistan. Worked in the 1990ies for UNHCR. M.Phil. In Interna- tional Affairs, Cambridge University in 1985, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1988, with focus on International Law and human rights.

63 ANNEX 4

Background material for the five working groups of the conference

The conference will encompass five different 3. Focus on human rights and gender justice working groups with connected themes: to combat patriarchal and male violence towards women and oppression of women; 1. Patriarchal violence – extent, causes and preventive measures; 4. Making visible connections between inter- national obligations and action at the 2. Violence in the name of honour – similariti- national level; es and distinguishing features compared to other forms of patriarchal violence; 5. Preventive measures and protection of victims.

Patriarchal violence – extent, causes and norms? Are we putting enough focus on the preventive measures reasons and causes behind male violence and the perpetrators? How can we focus not only on For discussion the victims, but also on male cultures that view Patriarchal violence occurs throughout the world violence as a natural method of conflict resolu- but in different manifestations. It is based on tion, in society as well as within the family? notions of male superiority and female subordi- uHow can we address the causes of patriarchal nation and is part of an exercise of power and and male violence against women by more control over women. The violence is not tied to effectively identifying preventive measures, religion, ethnicity or culture but to the degree such as education etc? of patriarchy and differs in terms of expressions. The perpetrators are often– but not always – men. In those cases in which women are involved as accomplices, it is often within the Violence in the name of honour – similarities context of a patriarchal system of which they and distinguishing features compared to themselves are victims. Patriarchal violence is other forms of patriarchal violence directed primarily against women, but men are also exposed to violence or pressed into com- For discussion mitting acts of violence and like women, forced “Honour” is often viewed as a “property” of to conform to existing patriarchal structures, for people that conveys status, influence and example to marry against their will. Violence is access to resources – primarily to men. The a threat against individuals’ lives and their legal concept of “honour” is sometimes associated rights as well as a general threat against a soci- with men’s control of women and their sexuality ety founded on the rule of law. but it sometimes has an entirely different meaning such as loyalty to friends. Thus it is Questions u important to see that there are ways other than What do we know about the extent, causes chastity requirements for women whereby indi- and costs in lives and suffering of such vio- viduals and groups can find “honour”. lence – and societal and economic costs, as Violence in the name of honour exists in the assessed by for instance the World Bank? Middle East, South Asia and other countries as uHow do we look at the links between power, well as in countries with immigrants from these violence – and notions on the subjection of regions such as within the EU. Migration, urbani- women by men as well as about heterosexual sation, the meeting of cultures, demographic

64 ANNEX 4

changes, employment opportunities, lack of Rights. It is also crucial that states act in power – and in part, new family structures mean accordance with the recommendations of the shifts in relative power, including between men UN Secretary General in the report 2004 and women, collectively and individually. Thus, (A/59/281) on violence against women, includ- evidently there are considerable variations in ing crimes committed in the name of honour, terms of background, extent, causes, forms of putting perpetrators on trial, protecting and violence, current laws and degree of law enforce- assisting victims and taking measures to pre- ment, attitudes and processes for bringing about vent and eliminate such violence. change. Different types of measures are required Violence against women is also a threat from both the international community and against the equality between women and men, national actors to combat this violence, both in and risks undermining the advances that have countries where the problem has existed for gen- been made to secure women’s enjoyment of erations and where it has occurred more recently. human rights and equal conditions vis-à-vis men. It is thus important not to view violence Questions against women, including violence in the name uIs violence in the name of honour increasing of honour, as something isolated, but as a or decreasing? How is it affected by the means of repression aimed at the subjection extent of migration and urbanisation – and and oppression of women. encounters with other lifestyles? Questions uHow can society meet its obligation to protect uHow can we more forcefully use human rights young women who go against old behavioural instruments to effectively combat patriarchal patterns and men and women who are violence including violence in the name of attacked because of their sexual orientation? honour? uHow can we change attitudes in terms of the uHow can we increase awareness about state perceived connection between honour and responsibilities and the recommendations for female chastity and the “right” to use vio- concerted action in, for example, the reports lence even if it is against the law? from UN special rapporteurs on such issues as the State’s responsibility to protect lives, ensure respect for the law and prevent indi- Focus on human rights and gender justice viduals and groups from taking the law into to combat patriarchal and male violence their own hands. towards women and oppression of women uHow can we work not only with a narrow focus on violence, but measures within a For discussion broad spectrum to strengthen women’s posi- States have an obligation to exercise due dili- tion with respect to their financial position, gence to prevent violence against women, decision-making, etc. and uphold respect for including violence in the name of honour, and women’s and men’s equal value and rights? to investigate and punish the perpetrators of these crimes and to provide protection to vic- uHow can we at different levels, nationally as tims. Not doing so violates women’s enjoyment well as internally, enhance the women’s of human rights. States also have an obligation reproductive and sexual rights? to promote and to protect human rights, includ- ing the right to life, liberty and security of per- sons in accordance with the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights, other human Making visible connections between inter- rights instruments, including the Convention on national obligations and action at the the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination national level Against Women and political commitments, such as the Platform of Action from the UN For discussion Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing In order to have an impact on individuals in the in 1995 and resolutions of the UN General specific countries, international conventions Assembly and the Commission on Human must be implemented into national legislation.

65 ANNEX 4

There is often a gap between international con- Preventive measures and protection ventions and commitments and action taken at of victims the national and regional level, in terms of laws, law enforcement, funding, education, For discussion awareness raising and campaigns to change In many countries, there are often uncertainty attitudes. The reasons for this may be both lack in terms of division of responsibility and organi- of knowledge and lack of will, as well as lack of sation for preventing violence in the name of measures including funding. honour and violence against women in general. However, there is also increased knowledge Often, there are also weaknesses in regard to in terms of patriarchal violence, including vio- co-operation both among public authorities and lence in the name of honour, and considerable between public authorities and civil society. mechanisms and opportunities for exchanging There is also often lack of knowledge within information on how to implement international groups where the violence occur in terms of commitments and save and protect lives of national laws and a need to identify how edu- individuals. cation for all ages as well as the media can contribute to a change in attitudes in regard to Questions violence against women and in seeing women uWhat good practices can be identified at as subordinated to men. national and regional level in terms of living up to commitments and recommendations Questions such as those made by the UN Secretary- uWhat is most effective in terms of preventive General on the subject? efforts to assist victims of patriarchal violence, uWhat measures need to be strengthened to including violence in the name of honour? protect women against patriarchal violence uWhat measures are predominant? In the form and prevent perpetrators to act and when of protection? Support? In the short-term and needed put them on trial? the long-term (for example, to end victims’ uWhat obstructions are there in terms of atti- isolation if they are forced to go into hiding)? tudes etc to law enforcement in this area and uWhat role can and should the following actors what is there to support enforcement of the play: law? What actions can be taken when there • Political parties? exists a national law but it is not implemented? • The judicial system? The police? • Social agencies? • Non-governmental organisations? • Religious groups? • Actors at community level? • The media? • The international community, in terms of normative standards and through interna- tional development co-operation?

Produced by The Swedish Ministry of Justice and The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Editor: Gerd Johnsson-Latham Graphic design: HeiDesign Photo: Anders Qwarnström + IMS Printed by: EO print, February 2005, 3000 copies Additional copies of this publication may be ordered at: www.sweden.gov.se or www.regeringen.se or by phone at: +46 8 405 10 00 Article no: Ju 2005:1

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