Syria/Deir ez-Zor: 87 Syrian Organizations Condemn the Killing of Two Women and Demand Accountability

On 17 December 2022, the bodies of two women were brought into the al-Suwar General Hospital in the al-Suwar district, administratively affiliated with Deir ez-Zor province.

The bodies are of Izdihar Nabil Muhanna and her brother’s wife Najlaa Abdulkarim Ftaih, who both hail from Hawaij Bomasa’a village in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor.

The hospital report demonstrates that the two women were tortured and ill-treated before they were shot in the head and killed. Additionally, accounts from the area say that the women were victims of a brutal murder motivated by revenge.

The perpetrators killed the women in retaliation to actions attributed to a male cousin. Armed individuals were after the cousin for what he had done and killed the two women when he escaped them into the areas controlled by the Syrian government.

Considering the brutality practiced against these women, the undersigned organizations condemn the use of civilians and women as tools for settling scores and reprisal. Additionally, the organizations call on concerned parties to prevent the use of this heinous crime to fuel tribal disputes, expand the cycle of violence, or disrupt stability in the area.

Moreover, the undersigned organizations demand that the Autonomous Administration and Syrian Democratic Forces:

• Order concerned authorities to start a transparent, independent, and extensive investigation into the murder of Izdihar and Najlaa.

• Bring the perpetrators to justice and hold accountable all persons involved in this horrific crime, whatever their military affiliation.

Signatories:

1. Aataa for Relief and Development
2. Ain Shams Organization
3. Ajyal Development Organization
4. Allied for Peace
5. Amaal Association for Women and Children Rights Care
6. Anwar AlGhad Organaization
7. Aras Charity
8. Arak of East Organization
9. ASO Analysis and Strategic Studies Organization
10. Ashtar Development Organization
11. Atyaf Development Association
12. Awda For Development
13. Alaseel Charitable Society
14. Al-Diyar Association Society
15. Al Raja Organization for Relief and Development
16. Alsiraj Charity
17. Baghouz Hope
18. Better Hope for AlTabqa
19. Bridges Of Peace Organization for Development
20. Center for Research and Protection Women’s Rights in Syria
21. Clemency Organization
22. Connected Pronouns Organization for Development
23. Development Seed Center
24. Dernaa Organization
25. Ebdaa Organization for Development
26. Edraak Organization for Development and Peace
27. Emaar AlMansoura Organization
28. Enmaa Alfourat Organization
29. Ensaf For Development
30. Environment and Water Association— EWAS
31. Ezdina
32. Future Makers Team—M.T.
33. Future Hands Organization
34. Green Women’s Association
35. Ghaith Development Organization
36. Hajin Technicians
37. Hevy for Relief and Development
38. Hevdesti-Synergy Association for Victims
39. Holm Development Organization
40. Human for Construction and Development
41. Human Rights Organization in Afrin
42. Inaash Organization for Development
43. Iwaa organization
44. Jasmine Association
45. Jan Center for People with Special Needs
46. Jian Charity Association
47. Jsor Alamal Organization
48. Khutwa Association
49. Kobani for Relief and Development – (KRD)
50. Lamassat for Relief and Development
51. Lasting Peace Organizations for Development
52. Manara Organization
53. Mitan Center for the Revival of Civil Society
54. Moltaqa alNhren Organization
55. Nbed Group
56. New Life Organization
57. Nextep
58. Noon for Development and Support of Women and Children
59. Peace and Civil Society Center
60. Peace She-Leaders Network
61. PÊL- Civil Waves
62. Publish Path
63. ‏Purple for Human Development
64. Qadar Organization
65. Rahma Organization for Development
66. Return Hope Charity Association
67. Roj Kar for Relief and Development
68. Sam Organization
69. Sahem Organization for cooperation and development
70. Shawishka Association for Women
71. Shurouk Organization Development
72. Swaedna Organization for Relief and Development
73. Swaed organization for Relief and Development
74. Syrians for Truth and Justice— STJ
75. Syrian Center for Studies and Dialogue— SCSD
76. Silav Center for Civil Activities
77. Sphere Organization for Studies and Development
78. Taa Marbouta
79. Tara Organization
80. Tayif Humanitarian Organization
81. The Four Seasons Organization
82. Totol for Relief and Development
83. Wesal Organization
84. Weqaya Association
85. Youth Optimistic
86. Youth for Change
87. Zorna Development