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"Honour crimes" and forced marriage

What is a so-called 'honour' crime?

So-called 'honour based violence' is a crime or incident, which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community.

'So-called Honour Crime' is a fundamental abuse of Human Rights.

There is no honour in the commission of murder, rape, kidnap and the many other acts, behaviour and conduct which make up 'violence in the name of so-called honour'.

The simplicity of the above definition is not intended in any way to minimise the levels of violence, harm and hurt caused by such acts.

(definition used by the Metropolitan Police Working Group on honour based violence)

What is a forced marriage?

In a forced marriage you are coerced into marrying someone against your will. You may be physically threatened or emotionally blackmailed to do so. It is an abuse of human rights and cannot be justified on any religious or cultural basis.

It’s not the same as an arranged marriage where you have a choice as to whether to accept the arrangement or not. The tradition of arranged marriages has operated successfully within many communities and countries for a very long time.

(Definition from the Foreign and Commonwealth office)

Both 'honour crimes' and forced marriage are forms of domestic violence.

Forced Marriage (civil protection) Act 2007 came into force on 25th November 2008

Recommendations on future work on forced marriage and so-called 'honour' crime

CPS pilot on forced marriage and so-called ‘honour’ crime – findings

Policy for prosecuting domestic violence

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS 'honour crimes' lawyer receives OBE

CPS 'honour crimes' lawyer receives OBE

30/12/2004

Nazir Afzal, Director, CPS London West, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for his work with the CPS and his involvement with the local community. In December 2004 he made international news heading the first CPS conference on 'honour crimes'.

Nazir joined the CPS in 1991 and has successfully prosecuted many high profile cases. He is heavily involved in community work having raised money for children's charities in the UK and schools in Northern Pakistan. For many years he has been a voluntary legal advisor to the 10,000-strong Pathan Association in Birmingham, an association started by his late father. In addition, he has championed community engagement within the CPS, in particular with representatives of black and minority ethnic groups.

On receiving the OBE, Nazir said: "I am immensely honoured to be awarded the OBE in today's New Year Honours but humble enough to know that it is the efforts of hundreds of people that are recognised by this award. All of my staff have made it possible.

"I am nothing without the extraordinary support of my family, friends and colleagues over the years. I am also truly grateful to those members of the communities I have served for welcoming me into their lives and allowing me to engage with them. If I've made a difference, then inshallah - if Allah wills it - I'll carry on doing so."

Nazir became Branch Crown Prosecutor for Ealing and Hounslow in February 2001. He was appointed Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London in November 2001 and took up his current job as Sector Director, CPS London West, in August 2003, based in Harrow, North London.

As the CPS' legal trainee champion, Nazir fights for the creation of opportunities for staff at all grades. He is regularly held up as a role model, particularly by minority ethnic staff, many of whom have benefited from his mentoring and support. He is also the CPS' Advocacy Champion, promoting the highest standards in advocacy throughout the organisation.

Married with four children, his interests include current affairs, music and public speaking.

  1. Media enquiries to CPS press office on 020 7710 6088.
  2. A photograph of Nazir Afzal is available on request.