Honor killing in Bojnoord, Iran: Young woman murdered by Her Husband

Marziyeh Gholampour
Age: 29
Shot death: July 6, 2024
Residence: Bojnoord County, North Khorasan
Origin: Iran
Children: 1
Perpetrator: Husband

Marziyeh Gholampour, a 29-year-old woman from Bojnoord County in North Khorasan Province, was shot to death by her husband on Saturday, July 6, 2024. The incident took place in front of her parents' house and in the presence of their young child, shortly after Marziyeh had requested a divorce. The motive has been reported as "honor-related."

The laws in the Islamic Republic of Iran are based on Sharia law, often resulting in lenient punishment for husbands who kill their wives because of "honor." Iran faces increasing pressure to abolish certain laws and bring its legislation more in line with international standards.

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.