In the Fergana region of Uzbekistan, a tragic incident unfolded as a woman took her own life by hanging, a distressing account brought to light by the anti-domestic violence initiative Nemolchi.uz.
The circumstances surrounding her death have raised doubts among her relatives, who discovered visible signs of physical abuse on her body.
The narrative began on August 20, when a family member of the deceased woman reached out to journalist Marufa Solieva. The family's conviction that the woman didn't resort to suicide stands firm.
Close family members of the deceased disclosed the distressing discovery of physical abuse marks on the young woman's body. Awaited in a week, examination results have granted the family permission for her final resting place.
Allegations have emerged from the bereaved family that the husband's relatives might exploit their connections to thwart the investigation.
Born in 2003, Zulaykho Toshtemirova became part of the Ibrahimov family in Yaypan city in Fergana region, after her marriage to a man born in 1993. Soon after the wedding, Zulaykho sought refuge with her family due to her husband's abusive behavior.
Tragedy struck when her brother and sister learned about her demise over a phone call. Rushing to her husband's residence, they discovered their sister's lifeless form in the courtyard. They were informed that the family members were all indoors. Accounts from neighbors suggest that Zulaykho had been left alone in the courtyard that day, deliberately locked outside and abandoned by her family.
Evidence hints at the possibility that she was subjected to physical abuse and subsequently locked out to prevent her from seeking refuge at home. Before her untimely demise, she reached out to neighbors for help.
A poignant video surfaces, featuring the woman's grieving relatives expressing remorse for not protecting her. The heart-wrenching sounds of parents mourning their child's loss echo in the background. Yet, it's even more agonizing to contemplate the suffering endured by the young woman, who saw suicide as her sole escape.
NeMolchi emphasizes that such occurrences are alarmingly frequent in Uzbekistan.
"Young brides are subjected to abuse and torment, while their families turn a blind eye to their pleas for assistance, leaving their daughters and grandchildren in dire peril. NeMolchi questions the societal view that divorce is shameful, asserting that safeguarding one's child should be more honorable. The article closes with a poignant question: Is it better to bury a daughter who could have lived a happy life, or to silence the neighborhood's whispers at her expense?"
According to information from NeMolchi.uz, in the summer of 2022, there were two notable cases of female suicides in Uzbekistan:
1. A 29-year-old woman in the Samarkand region poisoned herself by consuming vinegar. On June 24, she was admitted to the surgical department of the Samarkand branch of the National Research Center of Emergency Medicine (RNCEM) with a diagnosis of "acute poisoning with acetic acid." Despite medical assistance, she passed away three days later, on June 27. The woman was a bride, and her close family reports that her husband and mother-in-law routinely harassed her.
2. In the Taylak district of the Samarkand region, a 30-year-old woman hanged herself in the living room of her house. She took her own life on the morning of June 27. The deceased woman left behind two underage children and a husband.
Commenting on such news, people unanimously believe that these women ended their lives due to mistreatment by their husbands and their relatives. If the investigation and legal proceedings confirm these circumstances, those involved will be held accountable before the law. This was the case in the Samarkand region, for instance:
A mother and her 16-year-old daughter hanged themselves in their home due to torment from the mother-in-law and husband. The deceased woman's spouse and mother-in-law were found guilty of driving them to suicide. The man received 7 years of imprisonment, and his mother received 4 years of restricted freedom.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 2600-2800 people die from suicide in Uzbekistan annually. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, every sixth suicide is caused by family disagreements, and according to the Ministry of Mahalla, the number of suicides among women in 2020 increased by 1.5 times.
In Uzbekistan's legislation, this matter is addressed through two articles:
• Article 103 "Incitement to Suicide." Inciting or attempting to incite someone to commit suicide through threats, cruelty, or systematic humiliation of a person's honor and dignity is punishable by 3-7 years of imprisonment, and in aggravated circumstances, by 7-10 years of imprisonment.
• Article 1031. "Inducing Suicide." Inducing suicide, which involves instigating another person's decision to commit suicide through persuasion, deceit, or other means, resulting in the person taking their own life or attempting suicide, is punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment, and in aggravated circumstances, by 5-7 years of imprisonment.
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