The number of honor killings each year is unknown. The numbers are only estimates, at best. The Iraqi government rejects the published figures and those outside the country have no way of identifying how many honor killings are taking place, even if they are recorded somewhere. According to Human Rights Watch, honor killings are “acts of violence, usually murder, committed by male family members against female family members who are perceived to have dishonored the family” (Stop the Violence against women). Mere suspicion can be considered a reason to commit an honor killing. This is because honor is an important aspect of Iraqi culture. Without it, there isn't much left for a family. So if honor is to be restored, it must be done. Honor killings, committed because a female member of the family is not a virgin, are seen as a socially accepted way of restoring family honor in Iraq. The law used to convict those who commit honor killings in Iraq, the families and communities who participated in honor killings, and the female victims of honor killings all have different views. However, the truth is that honor killings are historically seen as a way to restore honor and, for this reason, most Iraqis view honor killings as a constructive way to restore honor. Honor killings have a long history in Iraq, having been integrated into the culture. , honor killings are considered an acceptable cultural norm. Under Taliban groups, an honor killing is seen as the only way to restore the honor of a family name after women, who are the property of male family members, engage in sexual relations before the marriage or infidelity. This idea comes from the cultural belief that “blood cleanses honor” (Husseini). Rape is also seen as part of the paper... a narrow understanding of the culture in Iraq and it would be difficult for people to abandon it. After all, “blood cleanses honor” (Husseini) and families value honor. Works Cited Husseini, Rana. “Speak truth to power.” PBS. PBS and Web. March 26, 2014Bayoumy, Yara and Aseel Kami. "Honor killings need stricter laws, Iraqi women say." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, March 6, 2012. Web. March 26, 2014. “Four years later: Join IKWRO in commemorating Du'a Khalil Aswad | IKWRO. » IKWRO Four years later, join IKWRO in remembering Dua Khalil Aswad's comments. IKWRO, April 7, 2011. Web. March 28, 2014. Ali, Latifa and Richard Shears. “Betrayed.” One world, several cultures. 8th editions. Stuart Hirschberg and Terry Hirschberg. New York: Macmillan Pub., 2012. 155-162. Print.Stop violence against women “Crimes committed in the name of “honor”Stop violence against women, nd Web. April 6. 2014.