Canadian "Honor Killing": Killers of Muslim Girl
Aqsa Parvez Sentenced to Life Without Parole for 18 Years

http://www.realcourage.org/2010/06/aqsa-parvez/

Canadian media have reported on the conviction of Muhammad Parvez and
Waqas Parvez, the 60 year old father and brother of 16 year old Muslim
girl Aqsa Parvez, in the "honor killing" murder of Aqsa Parvez on
December 10, 2007 in Mississauga, Canada.

This week, Muhammad and Waqas Parvez pleaded guilty to second degree
murder of Aqsa Parvez. On June 16, 2010, they were sentenced to life
in prison without the possibility of parole for 18 years. It will be
the decision of the Canadian National Parole board if either will be
released. The Globe
and Mail published an editorial questioning the necessity of accepting a
plea agreement for second degree murder, which allows the
possibility for parole.

: Aqsa Parvez - 16 year old victim of December 10,
2007 "honor killing"

Canadian Justice Bruce Durno told
a Brampton court that the actions of Muhammad Parvez and Waqas Parvez
were "that twisted, chilling and repugnant mindset could imply that the
family pride could at least be kept intact -- or perhaps even enhanced
-- by having two grown men overpower and kill a vulnerable teenager."
Justice Durno stated that "It is profoundly disturbing that a
16-year-old woman, no doubt facing significant challenges adjusting to
living in a very different society than her parents', could be murdered
by her father and brother for the purpose of saving the family pride."
Justice Durno concluded that the "twisted, repugnant mindset requires a
sentence that sends a message to others who would be like-minded.
Because of the abhorrent motivation behind this crime and the gender
inequality issues, 18 years is a fit sentence."

: Muslim
teenager Aqsa Parvez killed in "honor killing" in December 2007 (Photo:
Courtesy Ebonie Mitchell)

The Parvez family moved
from Pakistan to Mississauga, Canada in 2001. Media reports that 16
year old Aqsa Parvez spoke to school officials about abusive home
conditions. She preferred to wear Western fashions, rejected the hijab,
sought to spend time with friends her age, sought to have a room with a
door for privacy, and was seeking to hold a part-time job. She had
gone to her first movie shortly before her death in December 2007. She
had run away from home twice.

Canadian prosecuting attorney Sandra Caponecchia was quoted
as stating "She confided in her closest friends that her father had
sworn to her on the Koran that if she ran away again, he would kill
her."

The Toronto
Star reported: "Based on their admissions and Aqsa's mother's words
that were recorded in a police interview room, Durno seemed to agree
with Crown prosecutors Sandra Caponecchia and Mara Basso that they
killed her to uphold the family honor in their community."

Mississauga
News reported that Tarek Fatah, founder of the Canadian Muslim
Congress stated Aqsa Parvez' murder was "a blight on Islam" and that
"Canadians are justified in raising concerns as to whether this is a
sign of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in their own backyard... A
young life has been snuffed out -- likely in the name of honor and
Islam." On June 17, 2010, the National
Post reported that "Canada should expect rise in honor killings,"
quoting "Amin Muhammad, a professor of psychiatry at Memorial University
of Newfoundland who specializes in transcultural psychiatry."

: Muslim
teenager Aqsa Parvez killed in "honor killing" in December 2007 (Photo:
Courtesy Ebonie Mitchell)

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Responsible for Equality And
Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports women's rights and children's rights to
live without oppression, without fear, without intimidation, and without
the threat and reality of violence against them. We urge all to
support such universal
human rights and dignity for all people, in accordance with our
universal human rights. Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.

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R.E.A.L Reports "Save Women Now"

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Other Media Reports:

-- Mississauga
News: Aqsa 'just wanted to be herself'

-- Toronto
Sun: Murdered teen just wanted to fit in

-- Globe
and Mail: "For the killers of Aqsa Parvez, "culture" is no defence"

-- Globe
and Mail: Father, brother of slain teen sentenced to life without
parole for 18 years

-- Globe
and Mail: Father, brother plead guilty to so-called 'honour killing' --
Aqsa Parvez

-- National
Post: Canada should expect rise in honour killings, expert says

-- National
Post: Father, son must serve at least 18 years

-- National
Post: We are complicit in our silence"

--- Ujjal Dosanjh: "In 2000, the United Nations estimated that 5,000
women and girls are murdered every year in honour killings, a term that
masks the brutality of the crime it describes."

-- Ujjal
Dosanjh: Admit honour killings for what they are