Twitter users and major news outlets blamed conservativism for the death of a young Pakistani woman after she was strangled to death by her brother in a brutal honor killing.
Waseem Baloch admitted to drugging and strangling his sister, Qandeel Baloch, in their family home, after she posted photos of herself with a prominent Muslim cleric. The photos, which showed Baloch trying to sit on the cleric’s lap and wearing his hat, angered critics who found the photos inappropriate.
The controversy was too much for Waseem, who said his sister “brought dishonor to the Baloch name.”
“I have no regrets,” Waseem said in his confession, saying he was “proud” of what he did. Baloch, who built a career off the attention she earned for racy photos and videos she posted online, was the main breadwinner in her family and supported her parents and siblings. Waseem said he killed her, in part, because he believed “girls are born to stay at home.”
In a strange twist, multiple news sources shifted the responsibility for Baloch’s death away from her brother and his misogynistic beliefs. The Associated Press blamed “conservative norms” for the death of the 25-year-old. The Washington Post and CBS ran headlines that announced Baloch was dead “after offending conservatives,” without explaining that those offended were conservative Muslims in Pakistan, where the line between municipal law and religious law is often blurred.
Feminists on Twitter continued to place responsibility for Baloch’s death on conservatism and the patriarchy:
For the even the most headstrong women in conservative environments it takes courage to continue the fight without fear #QandeelBaloch
— My Body Back Project (@MyBodyBackProj) July 19, 2016
There is still value to a woman's life if she chooses to live outside the bounds of a conservative, patriarchal society btw #QandeelBaloch
— Grace @ The Symphony (@graceatsymphony) July 18, 2016
Classy brother. Conservative mindsets seems to bring out the "best" in people. #QandeelBaloch https://t.co/7DswQaM3Ue
— Michael Newmann (@MichNewmann) July 17, 2016
#Qandeelbaloch was murdered in such a situation where the conflict between liberal and conservative mind set is in its climax in #Pakistan,
— Akbar Hussain (@AkbarKosht) July 17, 2016
One user suggested that conservatives who condemn Baloch’s killing are Islamophobic:
https://twitter.com/mrdarnley/status/754497878014496768
Blaming “conservatism” alone does a disservice to victims of violent misogyny in Pakistan, where around 1,000 women are killed in the name of honor each year. In Pakistan, Sharia-inspired law allows killers to avoid punishment if the family of the victim offers pardon, usually in exchange for “blood money.”
Pakistani police have prevented Waseem from receiving this pardon by taking over the case.
