Syria's Future, K. Star condemn appointment of Hevrin’s killer, demand accountability

As part of ongoing reactions against the appointment of the mercenary Hatem Abu Shuqra by the Damascus authorities as a leader of one of its military formations, the Syria's Future Party and Kongra Star organized a series of protest events in the city of Hasaka in the Jazira Canton and the city of Kobani in the Euphrates Canton of North and East Syria, and Aleppo.

Hasaka

In Hasaka, the party issued a statement during a public gathering in the Fourth of April Park attended by dozens of party members. The statement was read by the party’s co-chair in Hasaka, Hevin Mohammed, who emphasized that the appointment was “an insult to the dignity of the victims and an encouragement for impunity.”

The statement highlighted that after years of repression and tyranny, the Syrian people had hoped for a new Syria based on freedom and justice. However, appointing an individual involved in well-documented human rights violations, classified as crimes against humanity, shatters these hopes and undermines the foundations of justice.

The party described Hevrin Khalaf as “an icon of peace,” noting that she represented a model for coexistence and civil peace, and that her assassination was an attempt to crush the will of free women in Syria. It added that Ahmad Al-Hayis’s criminal record, which led to his inclusion on U.S. sanctions lists, cannot be erased or justified by granting him military posts.

The party called on the Damascus authorities and international human rights organizations to take immediate action to arrest the mercenary "Abu Shuqra" and bring him before an international criminal court, asserting that verbal condemnation is no longer sufficient.

The statement concluded by renewing the party's commitment to the spirit of the martyr Hevrin Khalaf and all “martyrs of freedom and peace,” stressing that the party will not compromise on their blood and will continue its struggle for a pluralistic, democratic, and decentralized Syria based on justice and equality.

Aleppo

In Aleppo, hundreds of members of Syria's Future Party gathered on a main street in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood to protest the decision and demand justice for Hevrin Khalaf.

Protesters raised flags of Syria's Future Party and held photos of the martyr Hevrin Khalaf, as well as banners reading: “Where is the justice? The killer is rewarded,” “Justice for Hevrin Khalaf,” “No legitimacy for a killer... No peace with an oppressor,” “We reject the appointment and demand prosecution,” and “By what right is the jasmine’s killer rewarded?”

After a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs, a statement was read by Reem Melhem, a member of the party’s General Council.

Reem began by pointing out that while Syria is trying to shake off the dust of decades of tyranny, some are recycling the war’s trash by appointing war criminals and internationally wanted murderers to sensitive positions inside the country.

The statement described the appointment of mercenary Hatem Abu Shuqra to a leading military post as “a cheap attempt to circumvent international law and a blatant violation of human rights and transitional justice principles,” stressing the importance of bringing war criminals, whose hands are stained with Syrian blood, to justice.

The party called on Damascus to cancel the decision and refer the killer of the Secretary-General of Syria's Future Party, martyr Hevrin Khalaf, to justice.

The statement concluded by affirming the continued legal pursuit of Hatem Abu Shuqra until he receives fair punishment for the heinous crimes he committed, alongside other warlords and criminals involved in human rights violations, in order to achieve a pluralistic, democratic, and decentralized Syria where human dignity and the memory of martyrs are preserved.

Kobani

The Social Justice Council in the Euphrates Canton issued a statement in front of the Council’s building in the city of Kobani. The statement was read by the Council’s co-chair, Roshen Hajem, in the presence of Council members, representatives from civil society institutions, the Council of Martyrs’ Families, and women's organizations.

In its statement, the Council pointed out that the appointment of the mercenary "Abu Shakra," who is accused of committing serious human rights violations and war crimes, particularly against Yazidi women, constitutes a blatant violation of human rights standards and international law.

The statement also noted that "Abu Shakra" is implicated in the assassination of the General Secretary of the Future Syria Party, martyr Hevrin Khalaf, and her driver, as well as the mutilation of their bodies, an act that has been documented with audio and video evidence.

The statement added that the so-called Abu Shakra is listed under U.S. sanctions, making his appointment to a high military position unacceptable both morally and legally.

The Social Justice Council called on the Damascus authorities to immediately reverse this decision and refer the mercenary "Abu Shakra" to a fair judiciary to be held accountable for the crimes he has committed.

In conclusion, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to continue the struggle in the footsteps of all martyrs, foremost among them Hevrin Khalaf, until democratic justice is achieved.

In a related context, Kongra Star in the Euphrates Canton issued a statement in front of Free Woman Square, delivered in Arabic by Kristina Murad and in Kurdish by Zainab Walid, in the presence of several women, activists, and human rights defenders.

The statement, in the spirit of martyr Hevrin Khalaf’s resistance, commemorated the struggle of the martyrs of the women’s revolution and those who fought for coexistence, pledging to continue the struggle until freedom, democracy, and the building of a society based on women’s liberation are achieved.

It emphasized that the revolution is not only military but also social, political, and strategic, against the mindset of occupation, annihilation, and violations of women’s rights, as practiced by the Turkish state and its mercenaries. It noted that despite being targeted by drones and psychological warfare, women in North and East Syria continue their struggle. Their unity and solidarity have become the foundation of their strength and organization.

The statement criticized Damascus authorities for appointing Hatem Abu Shuqra, accused of committing murder and rape, as commander of the 86th Brigade, calling it a reward for his crimes against civilians.

Kongra Star demanded that Abu Shuqra be prosecuted and brought to justice, along with all those involved in crimes against women and children in Syria, and called on women’s and human rights organizations and the international community to stand for justice.

A-H

ANHA