According to reports received by Hana Human Rights Organization, on Friday, October 30, 2026, Nesa Alizadeh, a 16-year-old girl from Kalvans village in Khoy County, was strangled to death by her father following her family’s opposition to her decision to marry.
According to sources familiar with the case who spoke to Hana, a few days before the incident, Nesa had left her family home due to a dispute with her family over her marriage. Her father deceived her into returning home and subsequently killed her. After taking his daughter’s body to the hospital, he reportedly attempted to portray her death as a suicide. However, according to the information received, bruising and signs of physical assault around her neck, together with the autopsy findings, confirmed that she had been murdered. Nesa was buried on November 1, 2026.
What is justified in such cases under the pretext of “honour” is, in reality, the exercise of control over the lives and right to make choices of women and girls. The killing of Nesa Alizadeh once again underscores the urgent need to address gender-based violence and examine the role of laws and judicial practices that may lead to reduced sentences for fathers who kill their children.