Body of a Young Woman Found Murdered – Killing Linked to “Honour Crime”

Sulaimaniyah – Freedom and Human Rights Organisation (FHRO)

Today Monday, 4 October 2021, at 7:30 a.m., the Sulaimaniyah police were informed of the discovery of the body of a young woman in the Tanjaro area of Sulaimaniyah city. The body bore clear signs of torture and physical violence.

According to the initial police report, the body of the victim – identified by the initials (E.K.J), aged 18 – was transferred to the Sulaimaniyah Forensic Medical Department.

Position of the Victim’s Family

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the victim’s family, who are residents of the Tuwey Malik district in Sulaimaniyah, have so far refused to collect the body.

Statement from FHRO contacted the relatives of the young woman. A family member, identified as (K.J.H), declined to give any comment or provide further information about the incident. This relative stated: “We do not want the family’s honour to be further disgraced. We hope this matter will be closed and brought to an end.”

The Sulaimaniyah forensic doctor confirmed that the victim’s body showed clear evidence of physical assault and also added that the initial forensic report indicate that the girl was killed a day before.

Absence of Formal Complaint and Closure of the Case

Police spokesperson Sarkawt Ahmed stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover the truth behind the killing. He further explained that, as of yet, no formal complaint has been filed by the family. Under Iraqi domestic law, if the victim’s family does not register a formal complaint, the case will be closed following the completion of the investigation process after a certain period.

Rising Cases of Honour Killings in Iraq

This incident comes amid a growing number of “honour killings” in the Kurdistan Region and across Iraq. According to FHRO statistics, every year dozens of individuals, predominantly women, are murdered under the pretext of “cleansing honour and reputation.” Perpetrators of such crimes often escape punishment, largely due to the leniency of Iraqi personal status and penal laws, which provide reduced sentences for those who commit crimes under the justification of honour.

Appeal to Official Institutions

The Freedom and Human Rights Organisation in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, in this statement, calls upon the Iraqi Parliament to:

Establish a special investigative committee into cases of murder committed under the pretext of honour.

Enact stricter legislation to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.

The Importance of Protecting Women’s Rights This incident once again highlights the deep-rooted challenge of protecting women’s rights in the region, where women are the first victims of a discriminatory culture that employs violence as a means of resolving social disputes under the guise of religion and tradition.

Report Prepared By: Banaz Hassan AM11:59:04/10/2021