THE first memorial day to remember victims of honour killings will be on July 14 – the birthday of 17-year-old Bradford-born Shafilea Ahmed, who was murdered by her parents.
The day, which will be marked every year, was secured by Karma Nirvana, a UK charity which supports victims of honour crimes and forced marriages and Cosmopolitan magazine.
Shafilea (pictured) was suffocated by her parents in 2003 after suffering years of honour-based violence, including an attempted forced marriage – she was just one of an estimated 5,000 women across the world killed each year for bringing ‘shame’ upon their families.
The memorial day was brought about after a Change.org petition in May 2014 urged people to pledge their support and more than 115,000 signatures were gathered with the support of the three main political parties.
Read More: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11721531.Annual_Memorial_Day_will_pay_tribute_to_honour_killing_victims_on_birthday_of_Bradford_born_Shafilea_Ahmed/
Tags: forced marriage, halo project, honour based violence, mruder, Shafilea Ahmed, victims
