Human rights are considered to be the fundamental rights enjoyed by every human being, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion or other discriminatory factors (Human Rights, taken from www.amnestyusa.org). War crimes, segregation, genocide and crimes against humanity are among the most serious violations of human rights. Honor is considered a proud name, public esteem and a mark of respect. Dishonor gives rise to honor killings in many parts of the world, thereby violating human rights. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 5,000 women worldwide were killed in the name of honor in 2000, although the actual number may be higher due to unrecorded or falsely reported cases (cited in Solberg, 2009). Honor killings are violent killings of women and girls, carried out by male family members, who have dishonored the family name (Ilkkaracan, 1999). These acts appear to be part of religious practices, which is why government officials often turn their heads and rarely get involved. . With honor killings becoming more and more prevalent in different parts of the world, especially in stereotypical Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan, Israel, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq; but also European countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, Turkey, Italy (Solberg 2009), Germany and France; and in African countries such as Uganda, Morocco and Egypt (Solberg, 2009). Honor killings are also recorded in large numbers in Asian and South Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, China, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Nepal, India and Japan (Niaz, 2003). Because women are fleeing this fate, cases are now observed in the United States and Canada (Solberg, 2009). Religion is believed to be behind these killings; ...... middle of paper ....... (2002) Reflections on the fight against “honor killings”. The International Journal of Kurdish Studies, 16(1/2), 83-97. Excerpted from Ethnic News Watch. Niaz, U. (2003). Violence against women in South Asian countries. Psychiatric Clinic and Stress Research Center, 6, 174-184. doi:10.1007/s—737-003-01719.Moussa, H. (2004). Sites of violence: gender and conflict zones. Canadian Women's Studies, 24 (1), 205-206. Excerpted from GenderWatch. Sibbald, B. (2003). For Iraqi women, more war means more uncertainty. Canadian Medical Association, Journal, 168 (10), 1311. Retrieved from ProQuest Health & Medical Complete. Solberg, K. (2009). Killed in the name of honor. The Lancet, 373, 1933-1934. Excerpted from ProQuest Health & Medical Complete. Sorge, A. (2008). In honor of Fadime: shame and murder. Anthropology, 50(2), 435-437. Excerpt from Ethnic News Watch