Woman Without Violence

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Appeal for the Protection of the rights of Syrian Women and Human Rights Defenders

Women Without Violence International Foundation – Fondation Internationale Femmes Sans Violences, alongside the signatories of this appeal, express their deepest concerns over the increasingly precarious and unstable conditions faced by Syrian women in the light of the recent political developments in their country.

The current Syrian authorities must adhere to the international frameworks relevant to the rights of women and girls and ensure their full and effective implementation.

We urge European governments and international organizations to prioritize and resolutely defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls in their interactions with the new Syrian authorities. These rights include: protection against all forms of violence, including early and forced marriage, along with robust measures to prevent such violations; prosecution and sanctioning of perpetrators; creation of shelters and rehabilitation centres for women who have been incarcerated; equal access to leadership positions, including on ministerial level; comprehensive access to education at all levels, including higher education; equitable opportunities for employment; access to quality healthcare services; representation in the media; and the freedoms of association, publication, movement in public spaces, and personal choice in attire.

The judicial system, once controlled by the dictator and marked by unfair trials that subjected tens of thousands of men, women, and children to severe injustices, must now reclaim its independence from all forms of political or religious authority in both civil or criminal matters.

Syrian women, having endured widespread displacement and countless acts of violence and suffering under the regime of Bashar al-Assad, followed by the Islamic State, now face new uncertainties regarding their fundamental rights and gender equality. This growing sense of abandonment is aggravated by the inaction of European political leaders and international institutions.

The harm inflicted upon Syrian women, regardless of their ethnic, religious and political backgrounds, is already immense. Further inaction by the international community would be intolerable.

Peace and dialogue are indispensable for securing the freedom and prosperity of Syrian women. And it is only through coordinated international support that  this region can hope to rebuild on the solid foundations of peace and democracy. Syrian women, who have endured years of war and discrimination, deserve democratic and peaceful conditions to create a brighter future and a prosperous country.

As Women Without Violence International Foundation, we refuse to remain silent.

We have witnessed the devastating consequences of European inaction and international indifference regarding women’s rights in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the increasing violations of women’s rights in Iran and Turkey over the past decades. The list of injustices is overwhelmingly long: women in Afghanistan are excluded from all aspects of social and educational life and denied access to healthcare; reactionary forces in Iraq are pushing to lower the legal age of marriage for girls; Iranian women face arrest and torture for demanding their freedom; and women’s rights defenders in Turkey endure detention, mistreatment, and are constant threats.

We feel compelled to act in favour of the Syrian women and girls to ensure they do not suffer the same fate as women in other parts of the Middle East. The fall of Syria’s dictatorship should mark the beginning of progress, bringing hope for greater equality and advancement for women and for society.

Syrian women must regain their rightful place in social and political life, free from fear and uncertainty. At this critical juncture, when Syria’s future depends on the collective efforts of all its people, including the invaluable contribution of Syrian women, international indifference and inaction are simply not an option.

Contact: womenwithoutviolence@gmail.com