Ilham Ahmed discusses detainee file, women’s role with Minister of Social Affairs

A meeting was held today in the city of Al-Hasakah, bringing together Ilham Ahmed, Co-Chair of the Department of External Relations in the Autonomous Administration, and Hind Kabawat, Minister of Social Affairs in the Interim Government. The meeting was attended by members of women’s organizations, human rights activists, and representatives from Kongra Star and civil society institutions.

The meeting focused on key issues, most notably: the licensing of women’s organizations, the role of women in the new government, and the issues of displaced persons and detainees.

During the meeting, a committee was formed including Ilham Ahmed, international advisor Zein Al-Malazi from the Swiss organization Norff, advisor in the Autonomous Administration Jian Dirk, and civil society representative Susan Alloush, to follow up on the discussed matters.

In her remarks, Ilham Ahmed stressed the importance of distinguishing between integration that preserves identity and integration that leads to assimilation.

She affirmed that “integrating women into institutions and granting them a central role in decision-making is a fundamental step that must not be excluded.” She added that the adopted mechanism requires nominating three candidates from each institution two women and one man with the most qualified selected based on competence and academic credentials. She stressed that “continuing the integration process within this framework strengthens the presence of women and human rights advocates in the justice process and reinforces their role in institutional life.”

She also noted that “the detainee file still faces challenges,” pointing to promises to release around 300 detainees that have yet to be implemented. She described follow-up on this issue as a collective moral responsibility that will be raised again in upcoming meetings.

ANHA