So-called honour killings lie at the intersection of the right to life, gendered control, family authority, and the State’s monopoly over punishment. Using legal analysis and functional comparison, this article examines the network of rules governing such killings in Iran and Türkiye. In Iranian law, Articles 301–303 of the Islamic Penal Code and Articles 612 and 630 of Book Five (Ta’zirat) affect the availability of qisas, claims concerning an exceptional legal status of the victim, the consequences of mistake, and discretionary punishment where qisas is not carried out. Turkish Penal Code No. 5237 (Türk Ceza Kanunu; TCK) treats homicide committed with a customary/traditional motive (töre saiki) as aggravated and, since 2022, aggravates any intentional killing committed against a woman; Article 29 on haksız tahrik (unjust provocation) nevertheless remains relevant in some cases. The study finds that in-flagrante adultery homicide, so-called honour killing, and gender-related killing of women are legally distinct concepts. Nevertheless, the licence-like wording of Article 630 and gaps in proportionate non-qisas punishment may reinforce lenient understandings of lethal violence rooted in sexual and familial control. Türkiye likewise shows that sentence aggravation alone is insufficient without constraining gender stereotypes in provocation doctrine, effectively implementing protective measures, and ensuring accountability for failures to protect. The article recommends repeal or fundamental redrafting of Article 630 and Article 302(e), stricter evidentiary limits on Article 303, aggravated ta’zir punishment for gender-related killings where qisas is unavailable, and a comprehensive preventive protection framework