Thousands of women demand abolishment of 'fit of fury' defence

Jordan

Published: 2020-07-20 10:07

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 12:46


Thousands of women demand abolishment of 'fit of fury' defence
Thousands of women demand abolishment of 'fit of fury' defence

An online petition calling for the repeal of legislation protecting men who commit honour crimes from receiving long jail sentences or the death penalty, has garnered almost 30,000 signatures in less than 48 hours.

The petition was launched Saturday by Feminist Movement Jo.

“We demand the abolition of articles 98 and 99, which give women’s killers reduced sentences under the pretext of honour,” the group wrote.

“We also demand the abolition of Article 52, which gives families the right to waive the right to life of their children, and therefore the family becomes the enemy and the arbiter at the same time.”

On feminist.movement.jo’s Instagram story it wrote: “A lot of people ask me, was article 98 amended? Yes, but not as called for by jurists. They removed the word honour and added the term [fit of rage] instead. The amendment was for nothing and still gives the killer excuses.”

The law was amended in 2017 to remove the defence of ‘honour’ which had allowed perpetrators more lenient sentences. However, when a court applies the ‘fit of fury’ defence for premeditated murder, the penalty can be as little as one year.

Activist and member of the organisation Feminists of Jordan, Heba Lotfi, said crimes against women are increasing in Jordan.

“It’s very disappointing, especially after revoking a few laws such as article 308,” she said.

"During the coronavirus crisis and lockdown, we received a huge number of messages from victims of violence.

“We hope the petition will reach the authorities and we’ll be able to abolish the law completely. No criminal or killer deserves a reduced sentence.”

One woman who signed the petition wrote: “I will sign because I am a girl and I have the right to live.”

While another wrote: “Enough injustice against women, enough crimes in the name of honour from people without honour and a conscience.”

Responding to recent cases involving violence against women, Princess Basma Bint Talal wrote on her Facebook page: “As always we hope that we have finally reached the point for bold societal and political will to be shown.

“Otherwise, how many other women must die before adequate punitive steps are taken; or so that loopholes in the law can no longer be used to the advantage of the perpetrators, in order to give them reduced sentences for murder.

She added: “A radical shift in approach at all levels needs to signal the fact that conditions for violence, domestic or otherwise will no longer be tolerated or even condoned. There is no honour in honour killing and we can no longer look away.”