The Syrian Women’s Political Movement strongly condemns the escalating cases of abduction of women and girls and the violence committed against them in Syria, amid the ongoing impunity and failure to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. The disappearance of women or their exploitation under any religious, political, or social pretext constitutes a grave violation of human rights and a direct threat to civil peace.

We also warn against the use of women as tools in sectarian and political conflicts, or as weapons for incitement against minorities and various social groups, given the serious dangers this poses to the unity of Syrian society and the future of coexistence. Women’s dignity and freedom must not become an arena for settling scores or spreading fear and hatred.

The Syrian Women’s Political Movement affirms that the growing discourse of hate speech, accusations of apostasy, and societal incitement creates a fertile environment for violence against women and threatens community security as a whole. This necessitates a clear and firm stance to criminalize such rhetoric and hold those who promote it accountable.

We further affirm that the state bears full responsibility for protecting its citizens, ensuring the safety of women and girls, clarifying the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared, and holding all those involved in crimes of abduction, violence, and incitement accountable, without leniency or discrimination.

Accordingly, we call for:

• Opening transparent and independent investigations into all cases of abduction of women and girls and clarifying their fate and whereabouts.
• Protecting women and their families from any threats or intimidation.
• Halting campaigns of sectarian and communal incitement and criminalizing hate speech and religious and political incitement.
• Taking effective measures to guarantee women’s safety and their right to freedom, movement, education, work, and public participation.

Freedom and safety for Batoul
Freedom and safety for Syrian women
Justice for the victims and abducted women
And accountability for the perpetrators

The General Secretariat of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement
Tuesday, 12 May 2026