Submitted by ERS, Oct 5, 2007 15:32

Two corrections. . ."honor" killings are hardly infrequent, nor are they that widely condemned. In 2000, the U.N. estimated that globally there are 5,000 "honor" killings per annum. Many experts, including me, believe this is an underestimate, since these crimes are often unreported or disguised as accidents or suicides. In addition, they are on the increase. Moreover, in some countries--Jordan and Syria among them--there are actually penal code articles on the books that offer great leniency to the perpetrators. In Jordan, there are three such penal code articles, and these killings are considered misdemeanors. The average sentence is six months. How can this be considered widespread condemnation?

Ellen R. Sheeley, Author

"Reclaiming Honor in Jordan"

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