Honor killing in Sardasht (Iran): Shahin Ebrahimzadeh (21) murdered by family members

Shahin Ebrahimzadeh
Age: 21
Suffocated : October 5, 2023
Residence: Sardasht, West Azerbaijan
Origin: Iran
Children: -
Perpetrators: father, uncle

As reported by Hengaw Human Rights Organization, on the evening of Thursday, October 5, 2023, 21-year-old Shahin Ebrahimzadeh, a resident of the village of "Golan" in Sardasht, was taken outside the village by her father and uncle, and subsequently murdered due to what has been called an "honor killing."

Shahin Ebrahimzadeh was initially suffocated by these two family members and then received multiple blows to her body. Despite her father's opposition, Shahin had married against his wishes a few years ago. However, after two years of married life, she separated from her husband and returned to her parents' home. Shahin had once again found a suitor and it is believed that she was murdered by her family members because of their anger over her relationship with the suitor.

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.