Peregraf- Haval Zangana in Chamchamal
Two months ago Sewa Qadir decided to ignore her husband's violent behavior to protect her family. However, the pain did not end. The 23-year old woman faced the unbearable while waiting for good days. Few days after the death of her children, she died as well.
Tragic news once again shocked the people of Kurdistan Region early on 24 December, and especially the town of Chamchamal, Sulaimaniyah. After one week in a hospital, Sewa Qadir died due to burns covering her whole body.
She was buried next to her three children, who also died in the same fire, as her uncle Shafiq Nuri told the reporters.
The story is tragic as it is difficult to see the details. Many point fingers at her husband, but officials have no final say yet.
Funeral ceremony of Sewa Qadir, and her burial on 24 December 2018. Photo: Peregraf
The fire occurred late on 16 December, burning Sewa Qadir and her three children together. At first, rumours were spread that the incident was due to an electric shock. However, the security forces soon announced the arrest of Sewa's husband.
An informed source in Chamchamal police spoke to Peregraf, saying they have reached vital leads, "The father of the children has not confessed to anything yet."
Sewa's three children died immediately in the fire, but she survived for a week with 90% of burns covering her body. She spent her final week in a hospital in Sulaimaniyah.
Her family says she was not aware that her children died in the fire.
Her only remarks after the incident were for Rudaw TV, where she accuses her husband of the fire and asks the authorities not to close the case.
It was not the first time she spoke up against her husband, as she has a prior case in the Department of Violence Against Women against him as well.
Women activities are holding mottos of ”Yes to the sovereignty of law” and ”No to the tribal reconciliation” at Sewa’s funeral. Photo: Peregraf
Major Hemin Ali, chief of Violence Against Women Department in Chamchamal told Peregraf, "Two months ago, Sewa Qadir filed a lawsuit against her husband claiming he had conducted pyschological and physical harm towards her, with medical evidence to support her claim."
She later withdrew her lawsuit, claiming she wants to protect her family, "She even asked that we should not inform her husband about the lawsuit."
Her husband, still in detention, rejects Sewa's account.
After the incident, Sewa's father Qadir Nuri accused Sewa's husband. In a statement to parliament, Nuri asked the parliamentarians to take a stand.
The pictures of Sewa and her children widely spreading on Kurdish social media
Several accounts of the story have been told about Sewa's case, but one person remains accused.
Sewa had been married for six years, with three children, all younger than six. Darin, Larin, and Dawan died before their mother.
Her father-in-law, through NRT, asked the media outlets to await the court's decision regarding the case.
Ali recalls Sewa's words when she withdrew her lawsuit, "I don't want my children to grow without a father."
The incident turned into a controversy among the people and on social media networks. A gathering was held in Erbil late on 23 April against killing women. Only in October 2018, seven murders, six suicides, eleven self-immolations, and around one thousand charges have been filed by women.
Sewa Qadir was buried next to her three children on 24 December 2018. Photo: Peregraf
The spokesman of Sulaimaniyah police Sarkaut Ahmed said in a press conference that the story is too unclear and requires a thorough investigation.
Thousands attended Sewa's funeral. The mayor of Chamchamal Ramk Ramazan called for unity and fraternity in the town, allowing the security and legal institutions to do their job.
The tragedy does not end up only in media outlets, as the town's administration called a day of wake in the whole town on 25 December.