Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Qubad Talabani expressed outrage over continued abuse of women’s rights, stressing that there is no honor in murdering women.
“We will not tolerate or accept violence against women in the name of honor — those responsible will pay a heavy price for their crime,” he vowed.
He made his statement after a woman was hanged to death by her brothers in the district of Kalar, Garmiyan on Friday. The murder drew widespread condemnation and went viral on social media.
Police forces arrested four suspects hours after the discovery of the woman's body. Three of the detainees were the victim’s brothers, who confessed to the murder.
Police said she was killed over a “social issue.”
“Talabani, from the moment he heard about the incident, contacted the Garmiyan administration and asked to personally follow up on the investigation,” Garmiyan administration supervisor Jalal Nuri Abdul Qadir told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The deputy prime minister stressed the need to conduct accurate and transparent investigations.
“Talabani has a dedicated interest in all issues related to women's rights, and he has a clear strategy in this area,” his spokesperson Samir Hawrami told Asharq Al-Awsat. He has also established a special taskforce to follow up on issues related to women’s rights and raise awareness on gender equality.
Hawrami also affirmed that Talabani, after his appointment as deputy prime minister, had made sure to place women's rights and gender equality at the core of his work in government.
He reiterated Talabani’s strong belief in the importance of the role of women in society, and the need to confront the outdated traditions that restrict all women and violate their freedom and rights as a human being.
