Two Iranian girls murdered in honor killings promoted by misogynist laws

Iran-HRM – Two Iranian girls murdered in honor killings promoted by misogynist laws

In a recent case of honor killing in Iran, two girls were shot dead by their family members in a village in Sistan and Baluchestan, southeast Iran.

A video posted on social media in recent days shows locals finding the bodies of two girls on desert roads in Sistan and Baluchestan.

According to Hamshahri Online, Ebrahim Kouchakzaei, Chabahar police chief, confirmed the news of the two girls being killed by their families, saying that the incident took place some time ago near the Torkani village of Dashtiari.

Kuchakzai said the reason for the killing of the girls as “their families’ anger and frustration over their several days of running away from home” and said that they had been killed by two of their relatives, who are currently in custody.

Hamshahri Online reported Saturday that the girls were 17 and 18 years old, stating that their murder took place about 50 days ago.

According to the report, the two teenage girls, after leaving home for a few days, decided to return and contacted with the family, expressing regret. The family welcomed their return. But on the way home, they came across several men of their relatives and were shot and killed by them.

Not a week goes by without some form of honor killing making headlines. The clerical regime’s failure to criminalize these murders has led to a catastrophic rise in honor killings.

Violence against women is considered one of the most flagrant violations of human rights globally.

In a report published in 2019, the state-run Sharq daily newspaper wrote that an annual average of 375 to 450 honor killings are recorded in Iran. The murders are more prevalent in Khuzestan, Kurdistan, Ilam, and Sistan and Baluchestan.

The Iranian regime’s laws are not decisive in punishing the murderer. Usually, because the law considers the father as the owner of his child’s blood, he does not receive a proportionate punishment for murdering his daughter. This is a license to kill, as evident in the murder of Romina Ashrafi in May 2020.

The police and judicial authorities also act negligently. The law enforcement officers stop at the door. Under the clerical regime’s laws, they are not allowed to enter anyone’s house when a case of domestic violence against women is reported.