A few days ago, the ex-husband of a woman residing in the shelter of the “Clean World” Aid to Women Social Union threatened to mutilate his ex-wife and blow up the shelter where she is currently residing. In response, Mehriban Zeynalova, the chairperson of the organization, alerted the media and sought assistance from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. An investigation is currently underway.
To better understand this situation, a reporter from Minval.az contacted Mehriban Zeynalova, who explained that this case is far from unique: the shelter houses many women hiding not only from physical violence but also from the real threat of violence – stalking by former close individuals or relatives.
Stalking, translated from English, involves behaviors like surveillance, persistent messaging, attempts to make contact, threats, harassment, and more. The stalker’s goal is to oppress the victim, using various tactics from physical threats to emotional blackmail, such as threatening suicide to place guilt on the victim. These manipulations often drive people to desperation. However, in Azerbaijan, there is currently no specific punishment for stalking, only a general law against threats of murder and bodily harm which could benefit from amendments to include stalking.
Despite the lack of legal recognition, stalking is a very real threat, particularly harmful in a society with patriarchal norms where women are often vulnerable.
The United States criminalized stalking in 1992, followed by countries like Canada and Australia. In the European Union, countries such as the UK, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, and as of 2007, Germany, have made stalking punishable by law. In Germany, stalking can lead to imprisonment of up to two years, and in severe cases, up to ten years. Latvia joined this list in 2018, introducing criminal liability for stalking, including short-term imprisonment or community service and fines.
“It’s ironic that in our country, this act is not classified as a crime, yet stalking can drive someone to a nervous breakdown, panic attacks, and even suicide,” Zeynalova remarked. Germany has introduced significant penalties for stalking, ranging from substantial fines to imprisonment for one to three years, and recent amendments have extended these provisions to cyberstalking, allowing for the prosecution of those who harass others using the internet, mobile phones, and tracking apps. Proposals in Russia have also suggested tightening laws against stalkers.
Zeynalova further highlighted a problematic case in the shelter: a woman from the Absheron district was stabbed five times by her husband. If not for the timely intervention of a neighbor, she might not have survived, yet the medical examination classified her injuries as “light,” allowing her husband to remain free and continue threatening her. The “Women’s Hotline” is now pushing for a re-examination of this case.
According to Zeynalova, the current laws are not adequately protecting women, as evidenced by the alarming number of victims of domestic violence and related crimes reported in 2022. She emphasized the need for stronger legislation and more proactive police response to prevent tragic outcomes before they occur.
Yana Madatova
This article was financially supported by the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency under the “Coverage of Gender, Family, and Demography Issues” initiative.
