Skip to content
The article is more than 4 years old

Taskforce Calls for Urgent Steps to Prevent 'Honour Violence'

A commission set up to look into so-called 'honour crimes' has urged immediate steps toward preventing such violence, which is based on traditional concepts of shame among some ethnic groups.

Naisen käsi ojennettuna nyrkissä
Image: Comstock

In its report, submitted to Interior Minister Anne Holmlund and Migration Minister Astrid Thors on Tuesday, the panel calls for training of officials to recognise and intervene to prevent such crimes.

It says there should also be education about how to help the victims of honour-related violence and bring perpetrators to justice.

Those in need of training include police, prosecutors, judges and teachers as well as health and social workers, says the report.

Honour crimes can include physical, sexual, emotional, religious and financial coercion and violence. Unlike in neighbouring Sweden, authorities are so far unaware of any 'honour killings' in Finland. However, honour-related violence is on the rise.

The taskforce included representatives of various ministries, women's groups and the police, among others. It was chaired by Georg Henrik Wrede, Director of the Ministry of Education and Culture's policy programme for the well-being of children, youth and families.

Edited on 13 May, 2019 to correct formatting issues in article.

Sources: YLE

Latest: paketissa on 10 artikkelia