She refused a forced marriage - so her parents murdered her: 20 years on from Shafilea Ahmed's horrific killing
16.07.2023 - 07:07
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The life of a teenager murdered by her parents in an 'honour' killing was being remembered this week on what would have been her 37th birthday.
Shafilea Ahmed- who wanted to be a lawyer and was described as an 'able, ambitious girl' who was 'squeezed between two cultures' - was just 17 when her life was taken from her in September 2003 by those who were supposed to love and protect her.
Instead, her parents murdered her in the lounge of the family home in Great Sankey, near Warrington in Cheshire, after she had refused a forced marriage in Pakistan and become 'too westernised' in their eyes. It was a killing that shocked the nation.
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The nationally-observed 'Day of Memory' is held every year on Shafilea's birthday, July 14, designed to remember all who have lost their lives in 'honour' abuse. This year marks 20 years since her murder.
A vigil was held this week with a conference of keynote speakers also taking place to discuss the disturbing issues raised by the case.
Savera UK, a leading charity working to end honour-based abuse, joined forces with Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, to remember Shafilea.
The charity said the 'Day of Memory' today also aimed to raise awareness of often 'hidden' forms of abuse, like female genital mutilation (FGM). A minute's silence in Shafilea's memory was observed at the event.
Savera UK CEO and founder, Afrah Qassim, said: "It is 20 years this year since Shafilea's life was taken from her, simply for wanting to make her own choices in life. There is no 'honour' in this behaviour and no excuse for abuse.
"Although progress has been made over the past two decades,