Banaz Mahmod died in an ‘honour’ killing 20 years in the past. Her demise modified police investigations without end | EUROtoday
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“It completely destroyed our lives,” stated the sister of Banaz Mahmod, 20 years on from her demise. “It’s really bizarre, because it feels like yesterday when Banaz went missing.”
Payzee Mahmod, who’s now 38 years previous, remembers each element of 24 January 2006 – the day her sister by no means returned.
“I feel stuck in that moment,” Payzee advised The Independent. “I wish time stood still because the more years that go by, the further away she feels from me.”
Banaz, from Surrey, was subjected to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a toddler after which compelled into a wedding on the age of 16, which she finally escaped. She later fell in love with one other man whom her household disapproved of.
She contacted the police 5 occasions between September 2005 and January 2006, in keeping with a HM Inspectorate of Constabulary report, scared about demise threats she obtained from her household.
Despite her pleas for assist, Banaz was strangled in her household house, raped, and murdered by members of the family when she was 20 years previous. Her physique was discovered three months later, buried in a suitcase beneath a backyard patio of a disused home in Birmingham.
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Her cousins, Mohammed Ali and Omar Hussain, and a 3rd man named Mohammad Hama, had been convicted of her homicide in 2007. They carried it out on behalf of her father, Mahmod Mahmod, and uncle, Ari Mahmod, who had been jailed for all times for homicide over the ‘honour’ killing.
“I think about my sister’s legacy,” Payzee stated. “[Her death] has forced so many establishments to act. When we talk about her, we’re really forced to not shy away from this form of abuse, and have to face accepting that she was failed.”
Her influence was mirrored within the variety of individuals, from devoted pals to authorities officers, who attended a memorial to mark the twentieth anniversary of Banaz’s demise at City Hall at first of the month. Many had been moved to tears as she was described as a “light in the room”.
Jess Phillips, minister of safeguarding and violence towards girls and ladies (VAWG), was a type of who spoke of her legacy. She advised The Independent: “[Banaz’s] life was taken in an act of appalling and senseless violence, and we must ensure that her story drives lasting change.”
She advised the room extra extensively in a speech: “I remember 15 years ago, if not more, sitting in a police training centre and being trained to do things differently because of Banaz. She was changing the world for people on the front line.”
The Metropolitan Police stated it’s delivering specialist VAWG coaching to 23,000 officers and workers, increasing investigative capability, and enhancing trauma‑knowledgeable communication.
‘Operation Limelight’ additionally safeguards individuals from FGM on the UK border. Officers stated they labored with 362 passengers and specialist companies at Heathrow airport on 12 January to assist FGM survivors and determine these in danger.
Deputy commissioner Matt Jukes stated: “The Met has learned significantly from Banaz’s death, and tackling honour‑based abuse and harmful practices remains a priority for us.”
Alongside her sister, Payzee was additionally subjected to FGM from the ages of seven to 10, earlier than being compelled into marriage as an adolescent.
Payzee has since devoted her life to elevating consciousness of FGM and led the marketing campaign to boost the authorized UK marriage age from 16 to 18 in 2023.
The authorities is now engaged on statutory steering and a authorized definition of “honour-based abuse” so police and social care employees could be higher geared up to determine it.
Payzee has referred to as for the federal government to not delay the definition, including “it’s very much overdue”. She inspired going “back to basics” by believing girls and consulting professional organisations such because the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO).
Diana Nammi, govt director of IKWRO, stated: “Banaz’s trial was a landmark moment when, after tireless campaigning and educating the police, we finally saw justice with the recognition that she was murdered in an ‘honour’ killing.
“Whilst we have seen improvements, systemic problems remain, and we continue to see many women and children being failed and left at risk of harm.”
There had been 2,949 ‘honour-based’ abuse offences recorded in England and Wales within the 12 months ending March 2025, a 7 per cent enhance from the 12 months prior. The authorities introduced six new measures to sort out the problem in August, together with extra coaching for lecturers, cops, social employees and healthcare professionals, and a Home Office examine how widespread it’s.
Ms Phillips stated: “There is no honour in ‘honour-based’ abuse. It destroys lives, and that’s why we are tackling it through our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. This government is introducing a new legal definition to help ensure victims get the support they deserve. My message to those who commit this abuse is simple: we will use the full power of the state to bring you to justice.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/banaz-mahmod-honour-killing-death-murder-b2913940.html