Syria’s top Islamic body issues decree against honor killings: What to know
US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack referred to the decision as “great first steps,” though concerns persist about the new Islamist-led government.
Syria’s top Islamic authority issued a religious decree on Friday forbidding extrajudicial violence, including so-called honor killings, in a move welcomed by the US special envoy to the country.
The Supreme Fatwa Council issued a fatwa, or Islamic religious decree, saying that any violence or bloodshed outside of the country’s legal framework is forbidden under Islamic law, the public broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya reported.
The council stated violations against “blood, honor and property” are among the “greatest injustices,” but that the punishment for such wrongs must be determined by the authorities.
“The obligation to obtain rights must be through the judiciary and the competent authorities, not through individual action,” said the council, according to a copy of the fatwa published by the Syria TV news outlet.
