Jazeera Lawyers' Union: Law must be applied equally to all

The Jazeera Lawyers’ Union issued a statement on Sunday addressed to the public regarding the assassination of Sipan Hesso, a fighter with the Hasakah Brigade, and the fire at the prison in Kobani.

The written statement said:

“In line with the Jazeera Lawyers’ Union’s national and legal responsibilities and its commitment to the principles of the rule of law, the protection of rights and freedoms, and the preservation of civil peace, the union is following with grave concern the developments and unfortunate events witnessed in Hasakah and Kobani in recent days, along with the serious repercussions that threaten security, stability and the social fabric.

These events began with the assassination of Sami Sheikhmous Hesso (Sipan), a fighter with the Hasakah Brigade affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense, followed by a series of unfortunate events, culminating in the tragic fire at Kobani Prison, which resulted in the deaths of nine people and injured dozens.”

In light of the seriousness of these developments, the Jazeera Lawyers’ Union stresses that crises can only be addressed and society protected through the competent legal and judicial institutions, away from revenge, retaliation and settling scores, and emphasizes the following:

First: Condemnation of the assassination of Sami Sheikhmous Hesso

The union strongly condemns the abduction and assassination of Sami Sheikhmous Hesso and calls on the competent judicial and security authorities to launch a serious, comprehensive and swift investigation to uncover the circumstances of the crime and identify all those involved, incited or contributed to it, and refer them to the competent courts to face the legal consequences, while ensuring a fair and public trial in accordance with due legal procedures.

The union stresses that no crime, regardless of its perpetrators’ motives or justifications, can be met with another crime, and that resorting to tribal revenge or individual retaliation outside the judicial framework poses a direct threat to the authority of the law and civil peace.

Second: The Ministry of Defense’s responsibility toward the martyr and his family

Given that Sami Sheikhmous Hesso was officially serving under the Syrian Ministry of Defense, within the Hasakah Brigade, the union calls on the ministry to assume its legal and national responsibilities toward the martyr and his family, follow up on the case with the utmost seriousness, work to ensure his family’s rights, and take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks targeting members of the military institution.

Third: The Ministry of Interior’s responsibility for maintaining security and civil peace

The union calls on the Ministry of Interior and the competent security agencies, particularly those responsible for combating criminal and cybercrime, to fulfill their legal responsibilities in maintaining security and public order and take the necessary measures against anyone proven to be involved in:

1. Incitement and the stirring of discord through social media, including the dissemination of hate speech or incitement along tribal, ethnic or sectarian lines, or issuing threats against any component of Syrian society.

2. Making threats, spreading fear, and carrying weapons illegally, as well as pursuing any individual or group operating outside the law or using weapons to impose its will or threaten citizens.

3. Pursuing those who incite or contribute to stirring up discord, regardless of their status or affiliations, and preventing the use of social media as a means of inciting violence or collective retaliation.

The union stresses that protecting civil peace is a shared responsibility and that the law must be applied equally to all, without discrimination or selectivity.

Fourth: Opening an independent and transparent investigation into the Kobani Prison incident

The Jazeera Lawyers’ Union calls for an independent, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire at Kobani Prison, including determining its actual causes and the circumstances in which it occurred, identifying the resulting legal and administrative responsibilities, and holding accountable anyone proven to have been negligent, failed to perform their duties, or otherwise responsible for putting the lives of inmates at risk.

It also calls for the findings of the investigation to be made public, in the interests of transparency and to safeguard the rights of the victims and their families.

Fifth: The Jazeera Lawyers’ Union’s readiness to provide legal assistance

The Jazeera Lawyers’ Union declares its readiness to provide legal assistance and represent individuals before the competent judicial and official authorities in cases arising from these events, particularly those involving murder and assassination, threats, incitement, the stirring of discord, hate speech, defamation, and other criminal acts that threaten the security of the region and the safety of its residents. It also offers legal support and assistance to the families of those killed and other victims, in accordance with applicable laws and legal procedures.

Sixth: A call for restraint and recourse to the law

The Jazeera Lawyers’ Union addresses the people of the region, across their various tribal, ethnic and social communities, with a sincere call for restraint, urging them to prioritize reason and dialogue and to avoid reactions driven by emotion and being drawn into incitement and hate speech.

Resorting to force, revenge and taking the law into one’s own hands can only widen the circle of violence and deepen social divisions, while the judiciary and the law remain the only means of providing redress to those who have been wronged, holding perpetrators accountable and protecting rights.

The Jazeera Lawyers’ Union reaffirms that protecting civil peace is a collective responsibility, and that respect for the law and its authority is the fundamental guarantee for protecting all people in the region, regardless of their communities or affiliations.

May mercy be upon the martyrs and victims, may the wounded and injured make a swift recovery, and may their families be granted patience and solace.

No voice is above the voice of the law."

ANHA