‘Honour’ killing of 22-year-old influencer sparks anger in Iraq

Mangalore Today News Network

Baghdad, Feb 06, 2023: A young YouTube star’s murder by her father has caused outrage in Iraq, as the country still faces the issue of "honour" killings, reported the Guardian. Tiba al-Ali, 22, was fatally shot by her father on January 31 in Diwaniya province, as confirmed by Interior Ministry spokesperson Saad Maan on Twitter.

 

According to Saad Maan, police attempted to mediate the family dispute between Tiba al-Ali and her relatives to find a permanent solution.

Ali, who lived in Turkey and was visiting Iraq, was reportedly murdered by her father due to his discontent with her decision to live independently in Turkey.

Maan stated that the police were taken aback by the news of her death, as her father admitted to the crime during initial interrogations. No further information was provided about the specific nature of the dispute. Tiba had a growing fanbase on YouTube where she shared videos of her daily life, often featuring her fiancé.

A police source speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity meanwhile confirmed that the “dispute” dated back several years.

In 2017, she went to Turkey with her family but decided to remain there instead of going back home with them, according to a police source. Her death has caused outrage among Iraqis on social media, leading to calls for protests in Baghdad on Sunday to demand justice for her killing.

“Women in our societies are hostage to backward customs due to the absence of legal deterrents and government measures – which currently are not commensurate with the size of domestic violence crimes,” wrote veteran politician Ala Talabani on Twitter.

Human rights activist Hanaa Edwar told AFP that, according to voice recordings attributed to Ali, “she left her family because she was sexually assaulted by her brother”.

The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights also reported the allegation. AFP could not independently verify the authenticity of the voice recordings.

Amnesty International condemned the “horrific” killing, saying “the Iraqi penal code still treats leniently so-called ‘honour crimes’ comprising violent acts such as assault and even murder”.

“Until the Iraqi authorities adopt robust legislation to protect women and girls we will inevitably continue to witness horrific murders,” its deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, Aya Majzoub, was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Courtesy: India Today