BBC NEWS | Programmes | From Our Own Correspondent | Killed for the family's honour

I have never been able to comprehend a culture that takes such offence and in many cases with sufficient proof kills their daughters, sisters and wives. I see no way to justify these horrid crimes.

BBC NEWS | Programmes | From Our Own Correspondent | Killed for the family's honour: "Less than two hours later, she was dead - her skull crushed - reportedly by blows from an iron bar.

Her name was Faten. She was 22-years-old, a Palestinian Christian from the West Bank city of Ramallah.

After her lifeless body was found, her father and an aunt were taken into custody.

Death sentence

Faten had fallen in love with a young man called Samer, a Muslim, from Jericho. Her family disapproved of her choice.


Faten decided to use an ancient formula for resolving disputes, known in Arabic as 'Tanebeh'
In the last desperate weeks of her life, Faten knew a death sentence was hanging over her head, and she tried hard to escape it.

She attempted to elope, but did not get far and was sent home, to face the wrath of her relatives."