Release of Killer Incites Fear among Women

As reported by Azeez Mahmood for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, “women’s groups in the Kurdish north of Iraq have expressed outrage that a convicted killer may be released after paying blood money to the family of his female victim.” Mahmood reports that Salih Muzali, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Mahabad Abdullah in 1999, recently paid “$170,000 to the family of the dead woman, and could be released if he is granted amnesty by the Kurdistan region’s top official.”

According to Mahmood, Najeeba Mahmood, a member of the women’s rights group Halwest, explained why her group was so concerned about this case. “Women are afraid that tribal mentality will overcome the power of the law, especially when it comes to women’s issues. This will pave the way for other people to abuse women and get away with the crime through tribal agreements. That is a serious threat to women.”

Mahmood reports that Halwest is appealing to Masood Barzani, the region’s president, who “has the power to grant amnesty to the convicted criminal.” Halwest has also “written to the Kurdistan regional parliament condemning the agreement reached by the two families,” Mahmood says.

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