Kurdistan Region top officials condemn the murder of another woman

23-02-2022

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region's senior officials on Wednesday condemned the death of a 21-year-old woman who was allegedly set on fire by her husband in Sulaimani on Saturday.

Shnyar Hunar was reportedly burnt alive by her husband early Saturday. The mother of two died as a result of these burns on Wednesday. Her husband has been arrested by police after trying to flee the country.

"We assure everyone that the perpetrators will face law," President Nechirvan Barzani said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that "figures about femicide and all types of violence against women are a matter of concern, and harm the reputation of the Kurdistan Region and society."

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said in a statement that nine women have been killed due to domestic violence in less that three months.

“I’m deeply troubled by recent violence towards women in the Kurdistan Region. I reiterate what I have said; there’s no honor in honor killings,” said PM Barzani in a statement on Wednesday. The premiere also said that he had discussed the incident with the interior minister, and he thanked police for arresting the victim’s husband.

“Nine innocent women have been taken from us by domestic violence this year … This must stop. We must all vehemently condemn these crimes, and as a government impose the heaviest possible penalty on perpetrators,” noted PM Barzani, saying he will meet with grassroot organizers in the near future to understand what more we can do together. This scourge must end.”

Hunar’s death is the most recent in a series of femicides in the Kurdistan Region, which are often linked with the terms “social dispute” and “honor killings,” that perpetrators use to justify murdering their mothers, sisters, daughters, or wives.

Qubad Talabani, KRG Deputy Prime Minister, said in his condemnation that “it hurts me that in 2022 we still live in a society which includes men who think it is normal to threaten, hurt and kill women. Society's shameful inaction hurts even more.”

The deputy prime minister added that the government, courts, mosques and population at large should not only seek the arrest of the perpetrators but also collectively reject femicide.

The lawyer representing Hunar's case told reporters on Wednesday that "the main suspect in the case has been arrested ... and a warrant has been issued for the arrest of another person," without disclosing further details.

SEED Foundation is a local NGO which says it is “committed to protecting, empowering, and supporting the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk.” It also condemned the recent violence against women in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq on Tuesday.

“While the recent upsurge in cases reported by the media appears to indicate an increase in the instance of gender-based violence (GBV), the reality is much more terrifying. The continued threat to the lives of survivors and those at risk of GBV is indicative of a widespread crisis and of deeply ingrained violence and discrimination against women and girls in Iraq,” it said in a statement.

“Iraq has the highest incidence of intimate-partner violence (IPV) in the world, with 45% of women reportedly experiencing IPV in the last 12 months,” it added.

Combating Violence Against Women Directorate Hotline details: call 119 to seek support.

Updated at 9:22