Will Stricter Laws End Leniency Towards Honour Killings and Sexual Violence?

A proposed amendment to Egypt’s Penal Code has reignited an important debate about violence against women, the concept of “honour killings”, sexual violence, and the role of the law in protecting victims.

Member of Parliament Fatma Adel, representing the Justice Party, has introduced a draft bill proposing significant changes to the country’s Penal Code, Law No. 58 of 1937. 

The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate legal leniency in cases commonly described as honour killings, introduce tougher penalties for rape and sexual assault, and restrict the circumstances in which judges can reduce sentences for serious offences.

At the heart of this proposal lies a fundamental question: should cultural expectations, family reputation or claims of personal honour ever provide justification for violence?

One of the most significant aspects of the proposed legislation concerns Article 237 of the Penal Code. The draft bill seeks to classify the killing of a spouse, former spouse, or someone caught committing adultery with a spouse as premeditated murder. 

It would also prevent judges from using arguments relating to surprise, revenge, family honour or social circumstances to justify reducing punishment. 

The proposal challenges deeply rooted social attitudes in which violence against women has sometimes been excused or minimised through appeals to family reputation and honour.

The draft legislation also proposes substantial changes to the penalties for sexual offences. Under the proposal, life imprisonment would become the standard punishment for rape, while the death penalty could apply in aggravated circumstances. 

These include cases involving victims under the age of 18, perpetrators in positions of authority or guardianship, multiple perpetrators, or offences resulting in severe injury, permanent disability or death. 

The bill also proposes a minimum sentence of 15 years of aggravated imprisonment for certain forms of sexual assault involving force, threats or coercion. Additional provisions seek to strengthen the protection of children against sexual abuse.

The bill would prevent courts from treating a victim’s clothing, appearance, marital status, social circumstances or previous behaviour as mitigating factors or legal defences in sexual assault cases. 

Many Egyptians voiced their support for the bill, with one commentator arguing that “the very existence of laws that justify or reduce punishment for so-called ‘honour killings’ is a crime in itself.”

“Anyone who opposes this law is barbaric,” another one commented. 

Honor killings are often justified through ideas about family reputation, sexuality, marriage and traditional expectations of women’s behaviour. However, the concept of protecting family honour through violence has no legitimate justification, whether morally, legally or religiously.

One prominent Egyptian women’s rights advocate who has challenged these attitudes is Nehad Aboul Komsan, an Egyptian lawyer and women’s rights activist.

In November 2025, Nehad Aboul Komsan discussed so-called honour crimes during an appearance on the Egyptian television programme Kelma Akhira (The Last Word). She challenged the widespread belief that a man can justify killing his wife because of suspected or actual infidelity.

She argued that the idea of an honour killing is often exaggerated in popular culture, particularly through Egyptian films and television, which have helped reinforce the misconception that killing a woman under these circumstances is socially or legally acceptable.

She also explained that Egyptian law does not automatically excuse a husband who kills his wife, even if he discovers her with another man. She pointed out that if the husband plans the murder, for example, by leaving to obtain a weapon before returning to kill her, the circumstances can establish premeditation and lead to severe punishment.

Aboul Komsan also challenged the religious justification sometimes used to defend these crimes. She argued that Islamic teachings do not give men the right to punish women through violence or murder because of accusations concerning their sexual behaviour.

Are honour killings mentioned in Egyptian law?

Honour killings are not recognised as a separate criminal offence under the Egyptian Penal Code. However, this does not mean that they are legal or that perpetrators can escape punishment by claiming that they acted to protect their family’s honour. 

Egyptian law addresses these incidents through existing criminal offences, particularly the laws concerning intentional homicide. Article 234 of the Egyptian Penal Code addresses intentional murder and provides severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty in certain circumstances.

However, there is a legal complication, as Article 237 provides a reduced penalty in a specific situation. It states that a man who surprises his wife in the act of adultery and immediately kills her and the man involved is punished by imprisonment instead of the penalties provided under Articles 234 and 236. This provision has been criticised because it creates a special, gender-specific form of legal leniency.