Honor killing in Iran: woman murdered by her husband in Kahnuj

Unnamed woman
born: -
stabbed to death: March 2023
Place of residence: Kahnuj, Kerman Province
Origin: Iran
Children: 1 young son
Perpetrator: her husband S.M.

A woman was stabbed to death by her husband in an alleged honor killing in Kahnuj in Kerman Province, Iran. The suspected killer claimed his wife was unfaithful, but that has not yet been proven.

After taking her to the mountains around Zarchin, he killed her with multiple knife stabs and burned her body. She is the 13th woman killed in this way by a relative in Kahnuj.

In Iran, a man can argue as a defense to murder that his wife was unfaithful. Iranian law is based on Sharia law, which is known to be woman-unfriendly. This defense tactic can result in a prison sentence of up to 3 years.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.