MSDSyrian women have played a pioneering role in the course of the Syrian revolution, being among the first to participate in marches and protests, demanding a change of the oppressive regime in the country and advocating for a democratic transition that preserves the rights of the diverse Syrian people, especially women’s rights which are considered fundamental to all existing freedoms in the country.
At the same time, women have subjected to violations, violence, and injustices, especially within the territories under the Turkish occupation.
Since the Turkish occupation and its factions took control of Afrin in 2018, violations and arrests against women have not ceased. Women have faced arrest, imprisonment, physical, psychological, and sexual torture without any evidence or proven charges against them.
The Documentation Center has published numerous reports detailing the arrest of thousands of women, their mistreatment, and unfair judgments. Recently, two detained women in the central prison of Afrin were sentenced to death, while others received long sentences without evidence. That matter violates international treaties and human rights laws.
These unjust judgments, disregarding basic humanity standards, expose atrocities against Syrian women in occupied Afrin, urging a swift international intervention to pressure all parties for a just resolution of the Syrian issue.
As coordinators for women of political parties in the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), we strongly condemn the heinous violations against women in all occupied areas. We call on the United Nations, human rights organizations, and women’s associations to condemn and stop these violations, ensuring a justice for these women and their immediate release. We also demand the release of detainees and the disclosure of the fate of the missing and disappeared women.
We call on all Syrian women to unite, stand against the violations faced by Syrian women, and work together to improve the social, cultural, political, and rights status of Syrian women, aiming for the desired democratic transition.
We strongly condemn the ongoing airstrikes by the Turkish military on northern and northeastern Syria, targeting the infrastructure, services, and economy of civilian populations. We urge the international community and relevant organizations to condemn this aggression, hold Turkey accountable, and put an end to its interventions contrary to international norms and laws.
Coordinators for Women of Political Parties in the Syrian Democratic Council
On January 14, 2024
