Sadiq Khan – 2022 Statement on Zara Aleena

The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 14 December 2022.

Can I begin by expressing my deepest sympathies to Zara’s loved ones, by paying tribute to their strength and resolve, and by thanking her family for asking me to make this statement today.

They have suffered a trauma no one should ever be forced to endure.

How many of us can say that we too would’ve carried ourselves with the same grace and dignity in the face of such unbearable pain?

Today, yet another violent man has been sentenced for the horrific killing of yet another innocent woman.

Zara Aleena’s future was stolen by someone with no regard for her life or the laws of our land she spent her days working to uphold.

We don’t know what motivated this terrible and senseless act of violence, but we know the cost:

A young, bright woman’s hopes will never be realised.

Her family and friends’ lives forever altered.

And more and more women feeling less safe as they go about their daily lives.

Zara’s loss is a tragedy in every sense.

For her family, friends and community who are left bereft.

And for our city, which is deprived of a talented and dedicated public servant.

I’m acutely aware of the question being asked across our city right now…

after Bibaa and Nicole…

after Sarah…

after Sabina…

after Zara…

and after the many other women whose lives have been brutally cut short at the hands of men…

when is this going to end?

There is an epidemic of violence against women and girls.

In the UK, a man kills a woman every three days.

As Mayor, I’m determined to break this sickening cycle of violence, condemnation and inaction.

Because women don’t just deserve to be safe – they have the right to be safe.

We’ve made tackling violence against women and girls a priority in London, with new initiatives and investment.

But I know it isn’t enough… we wouldn’t be here if it was.

Our city – and our society – must change.

And I’m determined to work with partners to do everything we can to lead the way.

My promise to Zara’s loved ones, to women and to all Londoners is that as Mayor, City Hall stands with you.

And we will not rest until our city becomes a place where no woman or girl ever fears for their safety in their home or on our streets.

Thank you.