With profound sorrow and grief, the Syrian Women’s Political Movement received the tragic news of the killing of Member Heba Haj Aaref in the town of Bizaah in the countryside of Aleppo. 

Heba was a member and activist in the local council of Bizaah, the director of the Brotherhood School, a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, the Syrian Women’s Network, and the Syrian Democratic Alliance.

The Syrian Women’s Political Movement condemns this terrorist act in the strongest terms, strongly denouncing the heinous crime that claimed the life of a mother of two children and a prominent activist in the civil and feminist society in Syria, a rebel who never remained silent in the face of injustice or oppression despite the pressures she faced.

The SWPM calls upon The Syrian National Coalition and the interim government to fully bear responsibility for this despicable crime, as they are the parties responsible for protecting those under their control in northwest Syria, and for controlling the security situation and serious violations experienced by citizens there.

The responsibility also falls on the Turkish government to investigate the matter as it is responsible for administering these areas and supporting the factions involved in the crime. 

The Syrian Women’s Political Movement calls for a comprehensive independent international investigation involving international human rights organisations to uncover the details of the crime, determine its circumstances, identify those responsible, ensure the prosecution of the criminals, and bring them to justice so that this crime does not become a repetition of previous incidents that were concealed and their perpetrators were not revealed.

The SWPM urges The relevant authorities to enhance protection for women activists and human rights defenders, ensuring their safety and protection from threats and attacks.

The Syrian Women’s Political Movement expresses its full solidarity with the family of the deceased, her relatives, and loved ones, offering sincere condolences to her husband, daughter, son, family, colleagues, and fellow workers, affirming its determination to continue investigating the circumstances of this crime to fully uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice, in line with the struggle of the movement for liberation from tyranny, occupation, terrorism, and the establishment of a state of justice and law.

Justice for all who have suffered injustice and assault, and freedom for the women of Syria and women worldwide.

General Secretariat of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement

28 February 2024