Disappeared 16 Years Old Kurdish Woman Allegedly Shot in Honor Killing

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan: After she was accused of sleeping with a man, the 16-yeard old Payman Khalil was threatened with death by his father and other family members about three months ago. Since then the woman has controversially become disappeared. 

Her father Khalil Jalal says that Payman escaped the house as soon as she had received the threats.

The police of the Dibaga, a town disputed between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Central Government of Baghdad, has yet to make any investigation into the case.

Some people including Erbil’s police have said that Payman was killed by her father and thrown into a ditch in a nearby village near the volatile city of Mosul.

“Payman’s father-in-law and I agreed to kill Payman. But she escaped and we did not kill her”, said Jalal, father.  

Two years ago, when she was just 14 years old, Payman became married to one of her cousins. She had no children with her labor husband living her in a nearby village, Shmamik.

Dibaga is about 38 kilometers away from Erbil. It belongs to the Makhmour District and is populated by about 8000 people under the control of the Iraqi Central government.

The region is highly conservative where violence against women is relatively high.

The Makhmour police stated that they were not even aware about the case. They said they would not investigate anything if someone does not file a complaint.

But after few days of the disappearance of Payman,  KRG’s Erbil-based Center to Combat Violence against Women (CCVAW) asked the Erbil’s Police Station to make its own invesitagtion.

“Payman was shot dead by his father in a village nearby Dibaga and then thrown into a ditch. Payman was killed over alleged marriage betrayal. The families of both sides have reconciled,” said a report by the police of Erbil. 

Nabaz Omar, the mayor of Dibaga, said that he had heard the news of Payman’s death about three weeks ago and informed the police.

“Investigations are ongoing. Police has not reached a conclusion yet. The dossier has been sent to the court. The lady’s family has kept the incident secret. We do not have adequate evidence about her possible death,” said Omar.

“But we will continue the investigations until we will find adequate evidences. Then the lady’s close relatives will be arrested for ‘not reporting her missing to the police’.”

Jalal, Payman’s father, said that his brother who is Payman’s father-in-law as well had told him that he had seen a guy with Payman in her house.

“My brother said he had seen them together with his own eyes. That is why he and I decided to kill her. He was insisting on the killing and I agreed,” said Jalal.

“But Payman’s husband told me that he knows his wife that she never cheats on him. He was defending his wife. I told him I would kill you both.”

Payman’s father says her daughter must be alive. He said he had made unsuccessful attempts to find her.

“If Payman come back, I will investigate the subject comprehensively. If she had betrayed, then I will turn her to the government. If not, then I will not forgive my brother”.

Payman’s father says the incident has damaged his personality.

“We are looked down by the people. People do not respect us as they used to,” said Jalal.

“Before I was happy to be among others and visit those whom I know. But I do not go out now.”