HYDERABAD, March 15: Robin Field Smith, the Inspector of Constabulary (Personnel, Training and Diversity), UK, has said that the UK police would help Sindh police mitigate the incidents of honour killings.

Mr Smith, part of delegation of UK police and other allied departments currently visiting Sindh to advise on the investigation of karo-kari (honour killing) cases, was speaking at a news conference at the press club on Wednesday.

Other members of the delegation included Mr Gerry Campbell, Chief Inspector Detective Crime, and District Judge Marilan Mornington.

Mr Smith said honour killing was not a unique phenomenon in Pakistan, but to a lesser extent such cases were also reported in England not only among the Asiatic communities but also other communities as well. However, he added the perpetrators of the heinous crime were prosecuted and awarded punishment according to law in the UK and the incidence of honour killing had attained alarming proportion in Sindh.

He said that the delegation had come to Pakistan at the request of Sindh police to help investigate honour killings and to provide training. He said the training apart, the real thing was to inculcate this fact in the hearts and minds of the people that the so-called honour killing was a heinous crime and it was not a matter of honour but dishonour. He said the people should be told that not only the murderer but his entire family would suffer due to this heinous crime.

Mr Campbell said forced marriages, illiteracy and unawareness of law were also the causes of honour killing.

Source: Dawn

Date:3/16/2007