A matter of honour...

Turkey was shocked by recent revelations over the gruesome killing of a 16-year-old girl in the impoverished predominantly Kurdish province of Adiyaman in southeast Turkey. The trial found the girl's father and grandfather guilty of burying her alive. Their motive - they believed she had brought dishonour on the family by being seen talking to boys.

This crime has propelled the issue of honour killings back into the spotlight in Turkey, something human rights activists say is much needed.

Pinar Ilkkaracan of the organisation Women for Women's Human Rights explains that, in fact, combined pressure from the EU and campaigners has resulted in Turkey ending up with "one of the best penal codes in Europe" on this issue. The reforms have increased sentences and ensured that defending family honour is no longer accepted as a mitigating factor for murder.

Despite this, she adds, the recent case shows there is still a lot of work to be done. Issues such as the lack shelters for women and a prevailing attitude that the authorities should not be getting themselves involved in "family matters" still need to be addressed.

British MP John Austin who reported to the Council of Europe on the issue last year says there has been a marked rise in honour killings in Turkey in recent years, as well as in the rest of Europe. He says pressure must be brought to bear on the Turkish government to improve the situation.

"In Turkey the figures for 2007 show that over 200 women were killed here, in the name of family or community honour and that is frankly unacceptable in a modern Europe. And it’s just the tip of the iceberg," he warns.

For more in our series on gender equality in Europe see:

Women's Day sheds socialist stigma

Mr Midwife breaks down barrier

Taking leave of their senses?