Honour killing story: Hatice (2019)

Hatice
born: 1991
stabbed: June 18, 2019
Location: Soest (NRW)
Origin: Turkey / Kurds
Children: 4
Perpetrator: her husband (32 years at the time of the crime)

At the age of 18, Hatice was married by her Turkish-Kurdish clan to a man who is 4 years older. They have 4 children, the youngest is less than one year old.

On June 18, 2019, the man stabs his wife in the apartment. He is known to the police for drug and violent crimes. One of the children calls the neighbors for help. The perpetrator is arrested in front of the house. He shouts "Allahu Akbar".

The stairwell is covered with blood. Even days after the crime, Hatice is still in danger. Her real name is not known.

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.