Hevrin Khalaf.. Struggle for Democratic Syria and Women’s Freedom

Every year on 12 October, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hevrin Khalaf, Secretary-General of the Future Syria Party, is commemorated. She was assassinated in 2019 on the M4 international highway by factions affiliated with the Turkish state during the Turkish offensive on the cities of Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî.

Through her position as the leader of the Future Syria Party, Hevrin Khalaf worked to build bridges of communication among the various Syrian components, including Arabs, Kurds, Syriacs, and others. She travelled between villages and cities across North and East Syria, carrying a political vision that called for rejecting sectarian rhetoric, promoting the concepts of citizenship and pluralism, reaching a peaceful political solution that guarantees the rights of all Syrians, and strengthening the role of women in the political and social spheres.

In an interview with ANHA agency, Hevrin Khalaf’s childhood friend, Perwîn Yûsif, Co-Chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), recalled her relationship with the martyr Hevrin Khalaf, which dated back to their childhood. Perwîn said their friendship began when they were very young, growing up in the same neighbourhood in patriotic and devoted families, sharing the stages of childhood, learning, and struggle.

She added that their relationship deepened through learning the Kurdish language and preserving their identity. They would meet every Friday in homes to secretly learn Kurdish letters and language, given the circumstances surrounding that period.

With the launch of the Rojava Revolution, they began working together and spent long days on the path of struggle, further strengthening and deepening their relationship.

Perwîn Yûsif continued by saying that Hevrin was distinguished by her passion for work and constant dedication. She conducted thorough research and in-depth studies for every task assigned to her, leaving no room for negligence or shortcomings. She also constantly sought to develop her abilities and skills and was keen to listen to people’s opinions and demands, drawing on the realities of society to improve her work and initiatives in the public interest.

She noted that they had attended numerous training courses together, and that Hevrin’s discussions were characterised by depth and constructive evaluation. She also had a distinctive presence and a positive, different outlook, instilling hope and high morale in those around her, which made her an influential figure in her political and social circles.

Regarding the establishment of the Future Syria Party and Hevrin Khalaf’s leadership of it, Yûsif explained that Hevrin possessed a strong will and a mind capable of generating new ideas. She was among those at the forefront of political and organisational work among the various segments of Syrian society.

She added that, following the liberation of areas in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor from ISIS mercenaries, Hevrin took the initiative to propose establishing a political party aimed at consolidating the values of citizenship and pluralism among the different segments of Syrian society and extending the Kurdish people’s experience, based on freedom and justice, to other components. This vision gave rise to the idea of establishing the Future Syria Party as a political framework that would help organise society, establish direct communication with it, and strengthen political participation in those areas.

She pointed out that Hevrin was among the first women to lead political work during those sensitive stages. She was distinguished by an inspiring and encouraging political discourse, particularly for women, as she sought to strengthen their presence in public life and create opportunities for them to participate in decision-making and help shape Syria’s future.

Speaking about Hevrin’s vision regarding women’s issues and coexistence among different components, Perwîn Yûsif stressed that one of the most prominent aspects of her personality was her belief that women shared the same pains and hopes, and that uniting their efforts was fundamental to addressing unresolved issues and achieving freedom and equality.

She added that Hevrin consistently emphasised the need for Kurdish, Arab, and Syriac women to stand together, united in purpose and voice, across all fields. This stemmed from her conviction that women’s issues could not be separated from those of society as a whole, and that building a democratic Syria required the participation of all its components and the guarantee of women’s rights without discrimination.

Regarding the assassination of Hevrin Khalaf, Perwîn Yûsif noted that she was targeted at a time when the path towards freedom was beginning to take shape and calls for building a new Syria based on democratic principles were gaining strength, particularly as the Future Syria Party expanded and its positions on the unity of Syria and its people and women’s freedom gained wider reach.

She stressed that Hevrin’s assassination was not merely a personal loss for her friends and comrades, but also a loss for the political struggle to build a democratic and pluralistic Syria. She noted that justice had yet to be served for Hevrin and that holding those responsible for her assassination accountable was essential to achieving justice for her and all victims.

Perwîn Yûsif emphasised that achieving justice in Syria requires holding accountable everyone who commits violations against innocent people, women, and those sincerely devoted to the causes of Syrian society. She affirmed that impunity does not contribute to build a future founded on freedom, democracy, and justice.

Sh-S

ANHA