650 women worldwide demand recognition of AANES

A total of 650 politicians, academics, human rights activists, journalists, and writers from 50 countries, along with women's organizations, sent a letter to international organizations demanding recognition of the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria and drawing attention to Turkish occupation attacks on the region.

The letter was addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa, and Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

The letter stated: "Since the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria on December 8, 2024, discussions have taken place regarding Syria's future and the new opportunities for rebuilding a democratic society. It is essential that the people themselves lead and develop this process. Women must participate in shaping the new Syria, engaging in politics and all aspects of life with their own free will.

A civil war has been ongoing in Syria for over 10 years. Amid the popular resistance against the oppressive Ba'ath regime, the people have faced war crimes committed by ISIS and similar terrorist organizations against humanity, as well as Turkish occupation attacks that disregard international law. Since 2012, the Kurdish people in North and East Syria have built a model of social autonomous administration based on women's freedom, environmental sustainability, and direct democracy. Women have played a crucial role in this social model, participating in all social and political spheres. They have also organized themselves to defend their lives and the lives of others. The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), alongside the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), fought against ISIS and liberated many cities from its occupation. They established the Democratic Confederation, a multi-ethnic and multi-religious model of coexistence in North and East Syria, which could serve as a model for rebuilding Syria as a whole.

Women in Syria have united and organized against attacks on women and society as a whole. They are determined to shape the peace process, build a democratic society, and fight for truth and justice. For this reason, the Syrian Women’s Council, which brings together women from diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, issued a declaration on December 22, 2024, calling for the rebuilding of Syria and the participation of women and all societal groups in political processes.

We support the thirteen demands outlined by the Syrian Women’s Council and believe that these goals are crucial for building a new democratic Syria based on women's participation. Furthermore, recognizing and including the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in the current political process is essential for Syria's democratic future. Therefore, we call on the international community and all political actors to formally recognize the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, directly support NGOs in the region, and establish long-term cooperation. We urge you to support democratic women’s organizations and civil society in Syria instead of jihadist groups whose ideologies and practices are based on degrading and violently oppressing women.

We also demand an immediate halt to arms shipments and political support for Turkey. Strengthening diplomatic relations with Syria’s democratic forces will help end the Turkish occupation attacks and make the construction of a democratic Syria possible. Now is the time to support democratic forces in the Middle East and stand with the women fighting for freedom, peace, and democracy in Syria."

A-H

ANHA