May
19, 2007
Bashiqa (Northern Iraq, outside Kurdistan region)
, -- Authorities in northern Iraq have arrested four
people in connection with the "honour killing" last
month of a Kurdish teen -- a startling, morbid
pummeling caught on a mobile phone video camera and
broadcast around the world.
PUK Media website reported that the Iraqi security forces
arrested 16 people accused of stoning and killing of
the Kurdish Yazidi girl Dua, who was only 17 years old. A
source from Mosul city, Friday told PUKmedia,
that 4 of the detainees on the background of this
charge referred to the Court and will go on trial on
terrorism charges.
The case portrays the tragedy and brutality of
honour killings in the Muslim world. Honour killings
take place when family members kill relatives,
almost always female, because they feel the
relatives' actions have shamed the family.
In this case, Dua Khalil, a 17-year-old Kurdish girl
whose religion is Yazidi, was dragged into a crowd
in a headlock with police looking on and kicked,
beaten and stoned to
death last month.
Authorities believe she was killed for being seen
with a Sunni Muslim man. She had not married him or
converted, but her attackers believed she had, a top
official in Nineveh province said.
The Yazidis, who observe an ancient Middle Eastern
religion, look down on mixing with people of another
faith.
Each year, dozens of honour killings are reported in
Iraq and thousands are reported worldwide, said the
United Nations. T
he practice has been condemned around the world by
governments and human rights groups. A yearly vigil
protesting honour killings is held in London,
England.
Two of the four arrested are members of the victim's
family, police in Nineveh province said Thursday.
Four others, including a cousin thought to have
instigated the killing, are being sought. |
Dua Khalil Aswad
Dua Khalil Aswad, The teenager was dragged outside
by 8 or 9 men and stoned for half an hour until she
died. Her boyfriend is now in hiding in fear for his
life |
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