funeral of Avan Najmadeen.

Avan Najmadeen was buried on Friday 26 October 2018 in Stoke-on-Trent, England. We believe  that she is yet another victim of patriarchal tradition and violence against women. Her funeral was attended by family members and representatives of two organisations, the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR) and the Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation (KMEWO).

The body of 32-year-old Avan Najmadeen was found at her home in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent on Monday 1 October after teachers informed the police that she had not collected her four children from school. A post-mortem examination confirmed that she had died from multiple stab wounds.

In the days following Avan’s tragic death police arrested three men, including her husband and brother-in-law.  Only her husband remains in custody. 

The Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation (KMEWO) have been in contact with Avan’s family since soon after this horrible crime was committed. They, together with the Kurdish delegation and IFIR, continue to help with investigations and try to ensure Avan’s four bereaved sons, aged between 3 and 8, are returned to her family.

Sawsan Salim, Director of KMEWO, and Dashty Jamal, Secretary of IFIR, gave speeches expressing their condolences. They also spoke about why Kurdish women are murdered, the position of individuals within society, the role of organisations protecting women’s rights, and the patriarchal tradition which clouds the political, social and cultural life of Kurds living in Europe and Kurdistan. They also spoke of pressing governments to eradicate this phenomenon and put more effort and resources into opposing violence against women and protecting their rights.

The funeral ended with attendants placing flowers on Avan’s grave and sharing her family’s deep sorrow. 

International Federation of Iraqi Refugees-IFIR

29-10-2018