15-year-old Iranian girl likely murdered because she was in love with a boy

Nazanin Zainab Alizadeh
Age: 15
Likely murdered: February 2024
Residence: Khorramabad, Lorestan
Origin: Iran
Children: She was a child herself
Perpetrator: -

The 15-year-old Nazanin Zainab Alizadeh from Khorramabad was studying at Sadiqeh Kobra School. The deputy found out that Nazanin Zainab had fallen in love with a boy. He contacted Zainab's mother, who brought her to school and discussed the matter with her. Nazanin Zainab begged the deputy and her mother not to tell her father anything about it. However, her pleas were not heeded, and both the deputy and her mother informed her father. In fear of her father, Nazanin Zainab fled from school at that moment. Two days later, it was reported that Nazanin Zainab had died. Her family claimed that she had committed suicide, but her friends, who had organized a memorial service for her at school, were sure that Nazanin Zainab had been murdered.

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.