ŞÊRÎN ELÎ

Shahba- Afrin has turned into hell after being occupied by Turkey and its backed factions. The women living in Afrin have faced many rights violations. They have been subjected to inhuman practices for four years.

Since the Turkish occupation, 86 women have been killed, six women have committed suicide, 216 women have been injured and 71 women have been raped in Afrin, according to the report released by the Human Rights Organization Afrin –Syria. According to the same report, more than a thousand women have been abducted and dozens of women have been forced into marriage at a young age in the city. We spoke to Emine Mele Hesen, deputy head of the Afrin Region Women's Council, about the situation of women in Afrin.

“A dirty policy has been carried out against women”

Stating that Turkey aims to revive the patriarchal mentality in the city, Emine Mele Hesen said, “After the occupation of Afrin, it has been revealed that all hegemonic states are in cooperation with the invading Turkish state. Women in Afrin have been subjected to brutal and inhumane practices and a dirty policy has been carried out against them. They are forced to cover their heads and not allowed to go out. Women are targeted in Afrin. Many women were tortured to death in prison.”

“There is an international silen

Emphasizing that women have been in danger since Afrin was occupied, Emine Mele Hesen said, “People are really shocked when they hear what has been happening in Afrin. Women, in particular, are subjected to the most disgusting practices. There is an international committee documenting the incidents in Afrin, but there is an international silence against the tyranny of the Turkish state. The war crimes committed in Afrin threaten the whole world.”

“A solution must be immediately found”

Emine Mele Hesen calls on all states to find an immediate solution against the rights violations in Afrin. “Human rights organizations, lawyers, and women's organizations must be in solidarity with the people of Afrin and fight against this tyranny to end the brutal practices of the Turkish state. The aim of the invading Turkish state is to occupy Rojava by imposing its authoritarian mentality.”