On Sunday, August 3, 2025, Shahla Arefkhani, a 22-year-old woman from Nishapur
living in Tehran, lost her life after her husband forced her to ingest aluminum phosphide
(“rice pill”).
According to Rokna and other state-affiliated media, Shahla’s husband claimed: “We
decided to commit suicide together, and both took rice pills. But after being taken to the
hospital, I survived and she died.”
However, forensic evidence, including bruises on her neck, and testimonies from
Shahla’s relatives show that she was poisoned against her will. Based on these
findings, the case is now being pursued as premeditated murder against her husband.
This incident was first reported on August 5 by the Stop Honor Killings Campaign. Newly
received information has now confirmed the identity of the victim as Shahla Arefkhani, a
name that domestic media had deliberately withheld.
The State’s Responsibility in Breaking the Cycle of Violence Against Women
The killing of Shahla Arefkhani is a stark example of the growing pattern of domestic
violence and gender-based killings in Iran. The narrative of a “joint suicide” offered by
her husband illustrates how perpetrators attempt to distort the truth and exploit
weaknesses in the judicial system to conceal or minimize their crimes.
The core issue is not merely an “individual killing,” but the systemic failure of state
structures to prevent violence. In a society where no comprehensive law exists to
protect women from domestic abuse, women remain defenseless.
The state’s direct responsibilities include:
Passing and enforcing a law prohibiting violence against women.
Establishing shelters and safe hotlines for women at risk.
Conducting public education campaigns to challenge patriarchy and the notion of
women as property.
Ensuring fair, consistent judicial prosecution and deterrent punishment for
perpetrators of violence.
As long as the government neglects these responsibilities, domestic violence and
gender-based killings will continue to be repeated, and more women like Shahla and
Nasibeh will be sacrificed.
#StopHonorKillingsCampaign
#SafetyForWomen
#WomenHaveTheRightToLive
#IslamicRepublicResponsibleForWomenKillings
#NoToViolenceAgainstWomen
#Maragheh_HonorKilling
#NoToMisogynisticCulture
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