Honor killing in Jhelum: Rugalya Bibi (18) was set on fire by her parents

Rugalya Bibi
born: 2004
set on fire: September 22, 2022
Residence: Jhelum
Origin: Pakistan
Children: none
Perpetrators: her parents

On Thursday, September 22, 18-year-old Rugalya Bibi was set on fire by her parents in the town of Jhelum in Pakistan's Punjab province. Rugalya was transferred to Tehsil Hospital where she succumbed to her burns.

Neighbors informed authorities that it was an honor killing.

When Pind Dadan Khan police asked the parents about the incident, they gave conflicting statements. The victim's father stated that she suffered burns after a cylinder explosion in the house, while the mother stated that she set herself on fire by pouring kerosene oil over herself.

When police investigated further, it was found that the parents doubted their daughter's character and allegedly burned her in the name of honor. The parents were arrested by police as suspects.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.