Latest news with #FarahNaz
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Yahoo
Vigil marks three years since murder of Zara Aleena - as her family 'protest the systems that failed her'
Under the burning sun and in silence, a group of people all in white made their way through the streets of Ilford in east London, stopping traffic as they went. Together, they were completing the walk home that 35-year-old Zara Aleena never had the chance to finish. Three years ago, she was sexually assaulted and murdered in the early hours after leaving a bar. But for her aunt Farah Naz, the gathering was as much a protest as a vigil. "It's a heavy weight we carry as a family. Three years on, it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like 10 years ago. "We come together to silently protest… to protest against systems that failed Zara, to protest against a culture that accepts and facilitates violence and excuses it and we come together to stand against violence towards women and girls and to say this must stop. No more." Zara's killer, Jordan McSweeney, had already followed two other women that night, just nine days after being let out of prison. But he should have been back inside after breaching the conditions of his release. But failings meant he was still free. The government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls in a decade and this summer it will publish its strategy to achieve that, where so many others have failed. Read more: But it's a bold promise. "Firstly, we need a huge cultural shift… the culture that accepts violence and excuses it against women and girls. We need to change that, and we need to end that now," said Farah. "Secondly, we need education, we need early intervention, and we need resources so that we can shift that culture. "And thirdly, we need policy change and practice change, and we need resources behind those policy and practice change to end violence towards women and girls." They'll be back to do it all again next year, with the hope that by then progress is being made to keep women like Zara safe from harm.
Sky News
29-06-2025
- Sky News
Vigil marks three years since murder of Zara Aleena - as her family 'protest the systems that failed her'
Under the burning sun and in silence, a group of people all in white made their way through the streets of Ilford in east London, stopping traffic as they went. Together, they were completing the walk home that 35-year-old Zara Aleena never had the chance to finish. Three years ago, she was sexually assaulted and murdered in the early hours after leaving a bar. But for her aunt Farah Naz, the gathering was as much a protest as a vigil. "It's a heavy weight we carry as a family. Three years on, it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like 10 years ago. "We come together to silently protest… to protest against systems that failed Zara, to protest against a culture that accepts and facilitates violence and excuses it and we come together to stand against violence towards women and girls and to say this must stop. No more." Zara's killer, Jordan McSweeney, had already followed two other women that night, just nine days after being let out of prison. But he should have been back inside after breaching the conditions of his release. But failings meant he was still free. The government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls in a decade and this summer it will publish its strategy to achieve that, where so many others have failed. But it's a bold promise. "Firstly, we need a huge cultural shift… the culture that accepts violence and excuses it against women and girls. We need to change that, and we need to end that now," said Farah. "Secondly, we need education, we need early intervention, and we need resources so that we can shift that culture. "And thirdly, we need policy change and practice change, and we need resources behind those policy and practice change to end violence towards women and girls."
BBC News
29-06-2025
- BBC News
Zara Aleena: Silent walkers 'finish the journey she couldn't'
The murder of Zara Aleena, a law graduate from east London, has been marked on its third anniversary by a silent 35-year-old was walking home in Ilford from a night out when she was killed by sexual predator Jordan McSweeney just minutes from her front family have said her death "was not inevitable" and that the subsequent investigation exposed failings in institutions like the probation service and the had been released from prison just nine days before he stalked, assaulted and murdered Ms Aleena in what was described as a "brutal attack". Ms Aleena's aunt, Farah Naz, said her niece's death "must mean something - it must lead to something better - that's what keeps us going."The anniversary is heavy, of course - but the truth is, every day since Zara was taken from us has been hard."Every day, it's hard to comprehend." The walk was intended not only to honour Ms Aleena's life but also as a "protest against a system that failed her", Ms Naz said."Protest against a culture that excuses violence."What happened to Zara is not acceptable. It is not inevitable. It is not human."We must not look the other way."This day gives us space to speak her name, to honour her and to keep her at the heart of the change that's needed." Ms Naz added: "Progress has been made, but women are still not safe."We hope the vigil offered a space for quiet reflection and also for shared resolve. It's a moment to remember Zara and also to recognise the depth of the injustice."We stand together against the violence and the systems that still enable it. We walk Zara home, and we say 'no more'." Another marcher said it had been "a beautiful day as the community gathered to walk home a beautiful soul. "Finishing the journey Zara Aleena couldn't when she was snatched away so cruelly three years ago."We can all commit to never being bystanders. Step in, call it out." Vigil organisers said "a misogynistic culture still underpins institutions and streets", and "prevention remains secondary to response".Ms Naz said: "Zara's legacy is already taking shape through policy shifts, public conversation, and the determination of so many people working for change."Health Secretary Wes Streeting - who had been Ms Aleena's MP - addressed the vigil and said: "We have come together to celebrate and recognise a life that was tragically and horrifically cut short and to recognise the damage it has inflicted on our whole community."Women and girls who were already afraid to walk our streets are now even more afraid looking at the consequences of what happens when, on a normal night out and on your way home, something so horrific can happen in our neighbourhood." A jury at Ms Aleena's inquest last year found her death was contributed to by multiple state agencies failing to act in accordance with policies and procedures. Coroner Nadia Persaud issued a prevention of future deaths report, warning similar killings could occur unless action was instructed the Probation Service and the Metropolitan Police to improve their staffing levels, poor understanding around risk assessment and a "lack of professional curiosity" were all listed as matters of concern, as was a "lack of rigour, detail and independence" of a Met investigation into the case, Ms Persaud concluded. On Sunday, Ms Naz was joined by the relatives of other women who have been murdered – primary school teacher Sabina Nessa and mother-of-three Jan hope to meet the prime minister next month about their campaign for a new law to force offenders to attend their sentencing minister Alex Davies-Jones also attended. She said: "Today, we stand with Zara's family. With her friends. With Farah Naz, who has carried Zara's legacy with extraordinary strength and purpose."We stand with the families of Sabina Nessa and Jan Mustafa, who know this pain too deeply. Your grief has become a rallying cry. Your courage has driven real change." McSweeney was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years in December 2022 after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering Ms November 2023, he won a Court of Appeal bid to reduce the minimum term of his life sentence to 33 years.
The Independent
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Women in UK ‘still not safe' as mourners gather to remember murdered Zara Aleena
Women in Britain are 'still not safe', the aunt of Zara Aleena said as mourners gathered in east London to mark three years since the law graduate's 'preventable' murder. The 35-year-old was walking home from a night out when she was stalked, assaulted and killed by a sexual predator on 26 June 2022 in Ilford, east London – just minutes from her front door. The outrage and protests which followed her death, along with her inquest last year, have thrown a harsh spotlight on the failings of institutions to protect women, according to Ms Aleena's aunt Farah Naz. Ms Aleena's murderer Jordan McSweeney, a known violent offender, had been released from prison nine days before her brutal killing. On Sunday, Ms Naz led a vigil to honour her beloved niece who 'embodied fairness and justice' and used tell her 'I am going to put things right' in the world. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was Ms Aleena's local MP, and justice minister Alex Davies-Jones both urged the well-wishers to hold the Government accountable on its promises to try and tackle violence against women, including a target to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade. Ms Naz told the PA news agency her niece 'has become a symbol of what needs to be different, and also of what's possible' adding that for the family 'her legacy isn't just about systems, it's about values: fairness, courage, care for others.' The vigil included a moment of reflection and a walk from the spot where Ms Aleena was murdered to her home. Ms Naz said: 'Progress has been made but women are still not safe. 'We hope the vigil offered a space for quiet reflection and also for shared resolve. It's a moment to remember Zara, and also to recognise the depth of the injustice. 'We stand together against the violence and the systems that still enable it. We walk Zara home, and we say: 'no more'.' The probation system has faced scrutiny and reform, emergency call handling has improved and offender risk tools are being used more effectively since Ms Aleena's murder, the vigil organisers said. They said survivors are speaking out and being heard but a misogynistic culture still underpins institutions and streets, prevention remains secondary to response and specialist services, especially those led by and for black and minority women, remain underfunded. Women's safety is still vulnerable to political cycles, plus probation and prison services remain under-resourced and overstretched which may hamper efforts to effectively manage high-risk individuals, they added. Ms Naz said: 'Zara's legacy is already taking shape through policy shifts, public conversation, and the determination of so many people working for change.' Ms Naz said 'some things have changed but not enough,' adding: 'The inquest exposed the failures clearly. There's been progress, but real safety for women and girls will take more than policy. It needs a shift in culture, in how institutions work, how women are treated, and how accountability is held. 'We're not there yet – that's why we keep going.' The jury at Ms Aleena's inquest last year found: 'Zara's death was contributed to by the failure of multiple state agencies to act in accordance to policies and procedures – to share intelligence, accurately assess risk of serious harm, (and) act and plan in response to the risk in a sufficient, timely and coordinated way'. Evidence to the inquest prompted the coroner Nadia Persaud to issue a prevention of future deaths report warning there is a risk similar killings could occur unless action is taken. She instructed the Probation Service and Metropolitan Police to improve their services. Low staffing levels, poor understanding around risk assessment and a 'lack of professional curiosity' within the Probation Service were all listed as matters of concern, as was a lack of 'rigour, detail and independence' of a Met investigation into the case, Ms Persaud concluded. Mr Streeting told the crowd: 'We have come together to celebrate and recognise a life that was tragically and horrifically cut short and to recognise the damage it has inflicted on our whole community. 'Women and girls who were already afraid to walk our streets are now even more afraid looking at the consequences of what happens when, on a normal night out and on your way home, something so horrific can happen in our neighbourhood.' Ms Naz was also joined by the relatives of other women who have been murdered – primary school teacher Sabina Nessa and mother-of-three Jan Mustafa. They too 'campaign for change and stand in remembrance, protest and solidarity,' she said. All the bereaved relatives hope to meet the Prime Minster next month about their campaign for a new law to force offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. Ms Davies-Jones said: 'Today, we stand with Zara's family. With her friends. With Farah Naz, who has carried Zara's legacy with extraordinary strength and purpose. 'We stand with the families of Sabina Nessa and Jan Mustafa, who know this pain too deeply. Your grief has become a rallying cry. Your courage has driven real change.' She added: 'We've set an ambitious target: to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade. We owe it to every woman and girl to see that through. To say – with one voice – enough is enough. 'That means coming together, across Government, across Parliament and across the whole justice system to fundamentally tackle how we approach violence against women.' McSweeney was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022 after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering Ms Aleena. In November 2023, he won a Court of Appeal bid to reduce the minimum term of his life sentence to 33 years.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Women in UK ‘still not safe' as mourners gather to remember murdered Zara Aleena
Women in Britain are 'still not safe', the aunt of Zara Aleena said as mourners gathered in east London to mark three years since the law graduate's 'preventable' murder. The 35-year-old was walking home from a night out when she was stalked, assaulted and killed by a sexual predator on 26 June 2022 in Ilford, east London – just minutes from her front door. The outrage and protests which followed her death, along with her inquest last year, have thrown a harsh spotlight on the failings of institutions to protect women, according to Ms Aleena's aunt Farah Naz. Ms Aleena's murderer Jordan McSweeney, a known violent offender, had been released from prison nine days before her brutal killing. On Sunday, Ms Naz led a vigil to honour her beloved niece who 'embodied fairness and justice' and used tell her 'I am going to put things right' in the world. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was Ms Aleena's local MP, and justice minister Alex Davies-Jones both urged the well-wishers to hold the Government accountable on its promises to try and tackle violence against women, including a target to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade. Ms Naz told the PA news agency her niece 'has become a symbol of what needs to be different, and also of what's possible' adding that for the family 'her legacy isn't just about systems, it's about values: fairness, courage, care for others.' The vigil included a moment of reflection and a walk from the spot where Ms Aleena was murdered to her home. Ms Naz said: 'Progress has been made but women are still not safe. 'We hope the vigil offered a space for quiet reflection and also for shared resolve. It's a moment to remember Zara, and also to recognise the depth of the injustice. 'We stand together against the violence and the systems that still enable it. We walk Zara home, and we say: 'no more'.' The probation system has faced scrutiny and reform, emergency call handling has improved and offender risk tools are being used more effectively since Ms Aleena's murder, the vigil organisers said. They said survivors are speaking out and being heard but a misogynistic culture still underpins institutions and streets, prevention remains secondary to response and specialist services, especially those led by and for black and minority women, remain underfunded. Women's safety is still vulnerable to political cycles, plus probation and prison services remain under-resourced and overstretched which may hamper efforts to effectively manage high-risk individuals, they added. Ms Naz said: 'Zara's legacy is already taking shape through policy shifts, public conversation, and the determination of so many people working for change.' Ms Naz said 'some things have changed but not enough,' adding: 'The inquest exposed the failures clearly. There's been progress, but real safety for women and girls will take more than policy. It needs a shift in culture, in how institutions work, how women are treated, and how accountability is held. 'We're not there yet – that's why we keep going.' The jury at Ms Aleena's inquest last year found: 'Zara's death was contributed to by the failure of multiple state agencies to act in accordance to policies and procedures – to share intelligence, accurately assess risk of serious harm, (and) act and plan in response to the risk in a sufficient, timely and coordinated way'. Evidence to the inquest prompted the coroner Nadia Persaud to issue a prevention of future deaths report warning there is a risk similar killings could occur unless action is taken. She instructed the Probation Service and Metropolitan Police to improve their services. Low staffing levels, poor understanding around risk assessment and a 'lack of professional curiosity' within the Probation Service were all listed as matters of concern, as was a lack of 'rigour, detail and independence' of a Met investigation into the case, Ms Persaud concluded. Mr Streeting told the crowd: 'We have come together to celebrate and recognise a life that was tragically and horrifically cut short and to recognise the damage it has inflicted on our whole community. 'Women and girls who were already afraid to walk our streets are now even more afraid looking at the consequences of what happens when, on a normal night out and on your way home, something so horrific can happen in our neighbourhood.' Ms Naz was also joined by the relatives of other women who have been murdered – primary school teacher Sabina Nessa and mother-of-three Jan Mustafa. They too 'campaign for change and stand in remembrance, protest and solidarity,' she said. All the bereaved relatives hope to meet the Prime Minster next month about their campaign for a new law to force offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. Ms Davies-Jones said: 'Today, we stand with Zara's family. With her friends. With Farah Naz, who has carried Zara's legacy with extraordinary strength and purpose. 'We stand with the families of Sabina Nessa and Jan Mustafa, who know this pain too deeply. Your grief has become a rallying cry. Your courage has driven real change.' She added: 'We've set an ambitious target: to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade. We owe it to every woman and girl to see that through. To say – with one voice – enough is enough. 'That means coming together, across Government, across Parliament and across the whole justice system to fundamentally tackle how we approach violence against women.' McSweeney was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022 after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering Ms Aleena. In November 2023, he won a Court of Appeal bid to reduce the minimum term of his life sentence to 33 years.
