Shirin Oso's killing in Afrin stirs women's circles amid demands for accountability

The murder of 19-year-old Shirin Oso in the occupied Afrin region has sparked widespread outrage among women in North and East Syria and Aleppo city.

In this context, the Kongra Star in Aleppo, displaced women from Afrin and Shahba in the cities of Qamishlo and Raqqa, and the Zenobia Women's Gathering in Raqqa canton all issued separate statements condemning the crime and demanding an end to the ongoing violations against women, in addition to holding those responsible accountabilities.

Aleppo

A statement issued by the Kongra Star in Aleppo was read, in front of the Tallet Halab (Aleppo View) Café, in Arabic by Hevin Musa; the member of the Kongra Star Relations Committee, and in Kurdish by Zilan Bilal; the member of the Kongra Star.

The statement reported that the young woman, Shirin Oso, was killed by a gunshot to the head. Initial investigations revealed signs of torture and beatings on her body, confirming that she had been subjected to a prolonged period of violence prior to her death.

The statement clarified that this crime was not an isolated incident or an accident, but rather an organized crime, planned with a misguided patriarchal mindset that permits men to do anything, even take the life of an innocent and blameless woman.

The statement also noted attempts to portray the crime as a "suicide," as part of a manipulation of the truth and an attempt to obscure the facts. This reflects a systematic policy aimed at perpetuating violence against women in Afrin, amid the chaos and absence of deterrent laws and accountability. 

The statement emphasized that the crimes committed against women in occupied Afrin reveal the extent of the tragedy under occupation, and demanded the expulsion of the occupation forces and the prosecution of those responsible for these crimes.

The statement concluded with the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom."

Raqqa

The Zenobia Women's Gathering read a statement in front of its headquarters in Raqqa, in the presence of council members and female representatives from civil society organizations and local councils.

The statement was read by Bushra al-Ali; the head of the Gathering's Training Office, who emphasized that the Gathering is raising its voice to say, "Enough killing of women, enough systematic violence, and enough justifying crimes in the name of custom or honor." The statement pointed out that the blood of Syrian women is being spilled daily under a social and legal system that turns a blind eye to these crimes and legitimizes impunity.

The statement added that the murder of Shirin reflects the painful reality women are experiencing, and stressed that Syria cannot be built on the bodies of its women.

The Gathering demanded immediate, impartial, and transparent investigations into the murders of women, and that the perpetrators be held publicly and firmly accountable.

The statement concluded with a call for human rights activists, journalists, and all segments of Syrian society to show genuine solidarity and follow up on the cases of the victims, so that their memory may pave the way for a Syria based on justice and equality.

In a related context, the displaced women from Afrin and Shahba issued a statement in front of the Youth Housing School in Raqqa, which was read by Rehab Jebo on behalf of the displaced women.

The statement indicated that "authoritarian regimes based on patriarchal mindsets and religious and nationalist fanaticism have created profound crises in various aspects of life, and have marginalized women's presence and will."

The statement added that women are subjected daily to all forms of violence and murder, emphasizing that the murder of Shirin is a crime that has no relation to humanity, nor to religious laws or international conventions.

The statement stressed that the killing of women under any pretext is a fully-fledged crime, resulting from a culture of impunity, societal silence, and the failure to protect women and guarantee their rights.

The statement concluded by stressing the need to hold the perpetrators of these crimes accountable and impose the harshest penalties on them, calling on human rights, humanitarian and international organizations to follow up on the investigations and prevent the perpetrators from escaping punishment.

Qamishlo

The displaced women from the occupied Afrin and Shahba regions issued a statement in the Qandil neighborhood of Qamishlo. The statement was read in Kurdish by Suriya Mostafa, the member of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Council, and in Arabic by Rizgar Lolo, the member of the Afrin and Shahba Displaced Persons Council.

The statement condemned the murder of Shirin, describing it as a heinous crime that reflects the painful reality faced by women, particularly in the occupied territories, where impunity prevails and social customs are used to justify violence and murder. The women demanded that the victim's husband and his family be held accountable.

The statement rejected any attempts to politicize the case through reconciliation or social settlements, calling on human rights, women's and international organizations to follow up on the investigations and exert pressure to achieve justice and protect women, especially in the occupied areas.

The statement concluded by emphasizing that protecting women requires strict laws that criminalize violence and femicide, and guarantee women's participation in building a Syria based on justice and equality.

J.J

ANHA