Amid the highly complex security situation our country is experiencing, the State of lawlessness and lack of accountability continue to open the door wide to organized crimes, including kidnapping, assassination, and enforced disappearance—threatening the lives and property of the population.

In this critical context, reports have emerged about the abduction and disappearance of Syrian women, reportedly due to their Alawite background. This phenomenon represents a double crime—against women and against the dignity of Syrian society. The kidnapping of women and the concealment of their fate is a blatant violation of human rights, an assault on civil peace, and a threat to the fabric of society.

The severity of these incidents is not measured solely by the number of cases, but by the act itself. One documented crime is enough to highlight the danger and the urgent need to confront it firmly.

We, in the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, reaffirm that the authorities’ delay in taking serious steps toward transitional justice, and the absence of transparent mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable, have contributed—and will continue to contribute—to fueling a climate of revenge, unleashing hatred and incitement, especially in the absence of public accountability and the continued impunity of perpetrators. This, in turn, encourages others and paves the way for an endless cycle of violence and retribution.

We in the Syrian Women’s Political Movement demand urgent and transparent investigations into the disappearances of women, particularly in the Syrian coastal region, and the assurance of safety for all citizens. We call for the immediate disclosure of the fate of the abducted women, ensuring their safe return, protection of their families from any acts of retaliation or threats, and the prosecution of all those responsible for these crimes, regardless of their identity or affiliation. We also call for the criminalization of hate speech and incitement that justifies or paves the way for such crimes.

Building a new Syria begins with protecting its citizens, putting an end to these crimes that degrade human dignity, and enforcing the rule of law for all without exception. The future of our country now depends on our ability to end violence and impunity.

Therefore, we call on all concerned parties to take urgent action and work tirelessly to stop this bleeding and achieve justice—for the sake of the homeland and its future.

Justice for all who have suffered oppression and assault

The General Secretariat of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement
Wednesday, April 23, 2025