Honor Killing: Young Woman Brutally Murdered by Father in Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran

Hengaw: Friday, February 23, 2024

The horrific act of honor killing has claimed the life of Zeinab Hosseinkhani, a 19-year-old woman, at the hands of her own father. Despite the suspect's arrest, the absence of an official plaintiff under Iran's laws may result in his imminent release.

According to reports received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Tuesday, February 19th, 2024, Zeinab was brutally murdered on Baharestan Street in the city of Najafabad, Isfahan. The motive behind this barbaric act was allegedly "honor," stemming from her romantic involvement with a young man.

An informed source on the matter stated, "The father initially attempted to strangle his daughter. Ultimately, he used a brick and struck her in the head multiple times, beating her to death immediately."

It is important to note that Zeinab's mother passed away a decade ago, and the father, responsible for this honor killing, had also restricted his other 13-year-old daughter, Zahra, from social interactions for several years.

Hengaw has learned that Zeinab's funeral took place on Wednesday, without the presence of her maternal family, classmates, or friends.

Despite the perpetrator's arrest, the absence of a plaintiff in this case, and the unfortunate absence of Zeinab's mother, there is a concern that the suspect may be released, posing a threat to the life of Zeinab's 13-year-old sister, Zahra.

Article 612 of the Islamic Penal Code stipulates that if a deliberate murderer remains unpunished due to the victim's family forgoing retribution or for other reasons and their actions disrupt public order or pose a threat to society, the perpetrator may be sentenced to imprisonment for three to ten years. However, this legal provision has led to cases of impunity in honor killings committed by fathers, brothers, or husbands.

It is crucial to recognize that honor killings are a form of femicide, and not all cases involve female victims. In many instances, men have also been killed in honor-related violence.

The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights expresses deep concern about honor killings, particularly regarding numerous cases of femicide and honor killings in Iran. The lack of accurate statistics in this regard, coupled with the absence of a fair legal framework for victims, especially women, children, or members of the LGBTQ+ community, underscores a troubling pattern of encouragement and tolerance within Iran's legal structure.