Women's anger grows after Hevrin Khalaf's killer appointed to military position
Women's anger has intensified after Hevrin Khalaf's killer was appointed to a military position, amid warnings that the decision poses a direct threat to Syrian women and perpetuates a culture of impunity.
Women from the city of Jil Agha in al-Jazira canton denounced the Damascus government's decision to appoint mercenary Hatem Abu Shaqra, accused of killing Hevrin Khalaf and her driver, Farhad Ramadan, in October 2019, as commander of the 86th Division. They considered the decision "arbitrary and dangerous," legitimizing impunity and encouraging further crimes and violations against women and Syrians in general.
"This is an unacceptable decision that perpetuates murder," said Huda Ali, a citizen from the city of Jil Agha. "As women, we strongly condemn and denounce this arbitrary decision to appoint a war criminal instead of holding him accountable for the crimes he committed, especially the assassination of martyr Hevrin Khalaf."
She added, "On what basis does the Damascus authorities appoint this person, whose name is on the terrorist lists, to a commanding military position? We call on the international community and human rights organizations to take immediate action, because what we are witnessing proves that the democracy they speak of is nothing but empty slogans."
"A History Full of Crimes."
For her part, citizen Atiya Haji emphasized that "the history of the Ahrar al-Sharqiya mercenaries, and their leader Hatem Abu Shaqra, is full of crimes, looting, and massacres, especially against women." She added, "Granting a criminal with such a history a military position means deepening the crises in Syria and reveals a clear intention to continue violations against civilians, especially women."
She said, "We demand that he be tried for his crimes, especially those committed in Afrin, Serekaniye/Ras al-Ain, and Tal Abyad, which are included in US sanctions."
She concluded by saying, "We are women who follow the path of the martyr Hevrin Khalaf, who dedicated her life to peace and democracy. We will not accept that her killer be honored. Rather, he must be brought to justice."
"A Dangerous Appointment."
For her part, citizen Sara Ahmed from the same city said, "This appointment poses a direct threat to women in Syria and gives the perpetrators of crimes a green light to continue without accountability."
She demanded accountability. All mercenaries, most notably the perpetrator of the assassination of Hevrin Khalaf, a symbol of peace and freedom. Sara Ahmed concluded her remarks by calling for "holding accountable all those named on the lists of human rights violators, most notably the mercenary Abu Shaqra, so that Syria does not become a breeding ground for impunity and a breeding ground for organized crime against women."
T/S
ANHA
Women's anger grows after Hevrin Khalaf's killer appointed to military position
Women from the city of Jil Agha in al-Jazira canton denounced the Damascus government's decision to appoint mercenary Hatem Abu Shaqra, accused of killing Hevrin Khalaf and her driver, Farhad Ramadan, in October 2019, as commander of the 86th Division. They considered the decision "arbitrary and dangerous," legitimizing impunity and encouraging further crimes and violations against women and Syrians in general.
"This is an unacceptable decision that perpetuates murder," said Huda Ali, a citizen from the city of Jil Agha. "As women, we strongly condemn and denounce this arbitrary decision to appoint a war criminal instead of holding him accountable for the crimes he committed, especially the assassination of martyr Hevrin Khalaf."
She added, "On what basis does the Damascus authorities appoint this person, whose name is on the terrorist lists, to a commanding military position? We call on the international community and human rights organizations to take immediate action, because what we are witnessing proves that the democracy they speak of is nothing but empty slogans."
"A History Full of Crimes."
For her part, citizen Atiya Haji emphasized that "the history of the Ahrar al-Sharqiya mercenaries, and their leader Hatem Abu Shaqra, is full of crimes, looting, and massacres, especially against women." She added, "Granting a criminal with such a history a military position means deepening the crises in Syria and reveals a clear intention to continue violations against civilians, especially women."
She said, "We demand that he be tried for his crimes, especially those committed in Afrin, Serekaniye/Ras al-Ain, and Tal Abyad, which are included in US sanctions."
She concluded by saying, "We are women who follow the path of the martyr Hevrin Khalaf, who dedicated her life to peace and democracy. We will not accept that her killer be honored. Rather, he must be brought to justice."
"A Dangerous Appointment."
For her part, citizen Sara Ahmed from the same city said, "This appointment poses a direct threat to women in Syria and gives the perpetrators of crimes a green light to continue without accountability."
She demanded accountability. All mercenaries, most notably the perpetrator of the assassination of Hevrin Khalaf, a symbol of peace and freedom. Sara Ahmed concluded her remarks by calling for "holding accountable all those named on the lists of human rights violators, most notably the mercenary Abu Shaqra, so that Syria does not become a breeding ground for impunity and a breeding ground for organized crime against women."
T/S
ANHA
