Tiba al-Ali stood out as a young, lively, and effervescent YouTuber in a world where social media celebrities discuss their life with thousands of followers. However, her voyage took a fatal turn when her father shot and killed her. This tragic episode brings to light the urgent problem of “honour killings” and how women are treated in a nation where traditional values are still prevalent. In this blog post, we’ll examine Tiba’s life, the circumstances of her death, and the pressing need to amend the law in Iraq to shield women from domestic abuse.
At the age of 17, Tiba al-Ali left her native Iraq for Turkey and began her YouTube career. Her channel flourished as she talked about her life, her freedom, her engagement, and her love of beauty. Tens of thousands of followers connected with Tiba’s material and liked her positive outlook on life.
Tiba traveled back to Iraq to see her family in January, but her journey home took a sad turn. According to reports, Tayyip Ali, her father, didn’t agree with her choice to relocate to Turkey and marry a Syrian national. An altercation between Tiba and her father broke out as tensions rose. Tragically, Tiba’s father choked her to death in her sleep on January 31. Later on, he surrendered to the police.
Surprisingly, her father was only given a six-month prison sentence, which outraged women’s rights campaigners not just in Iraq but also around the world. Using “honour” as a justification for violence against family members, Iraqi law concerning “honour killings” is problematic, as this example demonstrates.
Alarming clauses in Iraq’s penal code allow “punishment of a wife by her husband” and, within specific parameters, permit parents to discipline their children. Particularly Article 409 permits lighter punishments for people who carry out “honour killings” based on purported provocation or “honourable motives.”
Women’s rights advocates have criticized Tiba’s father’s light punishment and called for an overhaul of Iraqi legislation both in Iraq and internationally. To secure the protection of women and girls from domestic violence, they emphasize the significance of aligning this legislation with international conventions.
The tragic tale of Tiba al-Ali has drawn attention to the out-of-date laws that do not shield women from damage and gender-based violence, not just in Iraq but all around the world. In order to stop such horrible acts and provide justice for victims like Tiba, there is an urgent need for legal reforms, increased awareness, and international support.
