And Syria is among the More Progressive Dictatorships in the Middle East...

From the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - A report on "honor killings:"



DAMASCUS, 23 Oct 2005 - It was Huda Abu Assaly’s wedding day, and the house was full of relatives and well-wishers. But instead of going to her would-be husband's house after taking her vows, Huda died before the festivities were over.

It all started when the 23-year-old Muslim, secretly married a Christian man she had met while studying at Damascus University. When informed of the wedding, Huda’s family – after recovering from the shock – convinced her to return to her hometown of Sweidah, some 100 km south of the capital.

She was forgiven, they told her, and promised a proper wedding ceremony, to be thrown in her home.

On the wedding day, in late August, however, Huda was stabbed and shot to death by her brother for betraying the family’s honour.

Despite the grim circumstances, festivities went on as planned, with the family receiving guests amid joyous ululations as the ambulance carrying Huda's body pushed its way towards the local hospital.