The Heartbreaking Tale of Gol Kohkan: A Victim of Domestic Violence Facing Execution
A Tragic Life Story
Gol Kohkan's life narrative is profoundly tragic. From a young age, she has endured immense suffering. Currently, she faces accusations of murdering her husband, and there are fears that she could be executed at any moment this month. This is the story of a girl whose dreams were shattered in childhood. Instead of playing with dolls, she became a mother at a tender age, enduring abuse from her much older husband. Now, she has been sentenced to death. But what led to this dire situation?
A Warning from the United Nations
Gol Kohkan, a 25-year-old Baloch woman residing in Iran, has been warned by the United Nations that she may not see the dawn of 2026, as she could be executed this month. She is accused of killing her abusive husband. According to eight independent experts from the UN, this case exemplifies the gender discrimination faced by women in Iran's judicial system, particularly regarding child marriage and domestic violence. Executing her would violate international human rights laws.
Forced into Marriage at a Young Age
Kohkan was barely 12 years old when she was compelled to marry her cousin. By the age of 13, she became a mother without any medical assistance, delivering her child at home.
Enduring Extreme Abuse
The trauma of early marriage and motherhood was just the beginning of Kohkan's suffering. She faced daily abuse from her husband, which included physical violence and psychological torment. By May 2018, at the age of 18, her husband’s abusive behavior escalated to the point where he began to physically assault both her and their five-year-old son. Unable to bear the sight of her son suffering the same torment she had endured, Kohkan reached her breaking point.
Accusations of Murder
It is alleged that she called a relative for help during a violent confrontation, which escalated to the point where she ended up killing her husband. Since then, her fate has been in the hands of the Iranian courts, which have now sentenced her to death. The United Nations has strongly condemned this ruling, stating that Kohkan is a victim of domestic violence and systemic failures in the justice system. Executing her would be a grave injustice against a woman who was merely trying to protect herself and her child after years of suffering.
Demand for Blood Money
Kohkan is illiterate and lacks access to legal representation. She has been pressured to accept the charges of murder. The only way her death sentence could be commuted is if she pays a substantial amount of Blood Money (diya). However, she has been asked to pay $90,000, approximately 81 lakh rupees, which is far beyond her means.