On Sunday, February 16, 2025, a 40-year-old woman named Najibeh Hassan-Khani
was burned to death by her husband in the city of Rezvanshahr, Gilan Province. Najibeh
had filed for divorce, and on the day of the killing, her husband lured her to the site of
the crime under the pretense of agreeing to the separation. There, he locked her inside
his car and set it on fire.
Hamed Shadbahr, Rezvanshahr’s police chief, told state media including Rokna that the
45-year-old perpetrator has been arrested and cited “family disputes” as the motive for
the murder. Authorities and state-run media routinely reduce such brutal crimes to mere
“family issues,” an attempt to obscure the root causes of femicide—particularly the
government’s systemic misogyny.
Although the perpetrator is now in custody, having claimed “family disputes” as his
justification, deeper questions must be asked about the structural roots of such
violence. This incident shines over the broader misogynistic and patriarchal systems
that target women—especially those who seek divorce or try to escape abusive
relationships.
Such horrific incidents underscore the urgent need for a serious review of the state’s
legal and protective frameworks for women. Rather than minimizing the brutality with
vague terminology, officials must confront and change the cultural attitudes that
normalize violence against women. Until then, women’s basic rights and lives will
continue to be at risk in a system that enables their oppression.

Stop_Honor_Killings_Campaign

Domestic_Violence

Rezvanshahr_Najibeh_HassanKhani

A_Woman_Is_No_Ones_Honor

Follow news in the Stop honor Killings Campaign Telegram group:
https://t.me/stophonorkilling
Stop honor Killings Campaign