Resistance against violence in Afrin!

 

Mîdye Miqted

 

ŞEHBA - Commenting on the violence, massacre, torture and rape against Efrin women and women's resistance on the occasion of 25 November, lawyer Roushîn Hido called on women in international institutions to unite and raise their voices against violence.

 

As the 25 November Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women approaches, women everywhere are once again demonstrating their determination to fight against violence. While violence against women remains on the agenda, one of the places where violence against women and society is most intense is Afrin. In 2018, Turkey and the paramilitary groups supported by Turkey and the paramilitary groups that settled in the city have made violence a part of daily life. Torture, pillage, abduction, harassment and rape against women and society have been documented in the reports of international organisations.

 

In June, Xezal Derwîş Erebo's house in Basûfan village was raided and her husband's hands and arms were tied, while Zeyneb Şêxo from Kora village died of a heart attack due to torture during a raid on her house by the Ehrar al-Shariye group, which reveals the extent of violence against women. Similarly, Sultan Murad group's shooting a woman and a child in the village of Dêrsiwan and the same group's rape of a woman at the border during human trafficking are just a few examples of the violence and massacre that women face.

 

In this part of our dossier, Lawyer Roşîn Hido made evaluations on the issue on the way to 25 November based on this picture.

‘There are war crimes in Afrin’

 

Stating that many war crimes have been committed in Afrin, Roşîn Hido said that women are subjected to intense violence. Roşîn Hido said, "Since the occupation of Afrin, many crimes have been committed against women, children and nature. This situation continues until today in front of the eyes of all public opinion. Not only human beings and nature, but also all underground and aboveground riches and values are facing violence. The historical artefacts of Afrin were stolen and all these were defined as crimes against humanity in the reports of international organisations. This shows that there are war crimes in Afrin. We must unite and resist against this war crime and violence against women."

 

‘Women are put in cells in prisons’

 

Roşin Hido stated that women faced the worst violence in Afrin and said, "Women were subjected to violence the most in the 7 years under occupation. Many women were kidnapped, murdered, detained, tortured, raped and psychologically assaulted. Many children were married off after the occupation of Afrin. Many women were arrested and imprisoned on the grounds that they took part in the Autonomous Administration. They were kept in cells."

 

‘Efrin women's struggle against violence continues’

 

Roşîn Hido stated that the women of Afrin continue to struggle against the increasing violence and said, "On 15 September, women took to the field against violence in the village of Kaxir in Afrin. Many women were injured as a result of the attack. Efrin women's struggle against violence continues. This courage of Efrin women is based on Arîn Mirkan's sacrifice and the resistance of the women in YPJ. They did not succumb to the most violent terror. The sacrifice of women is echoing all over the world today. That is why the Turkish state and its gangs wanted to take revenge on the women of Afrin. However, the struggle of the women of Afrin against this continues."

 

‘Attacks and violence against Efrin women continue’

 

Underlining that there is a systematic attack against women, children and citizens in Afrin, Roşîn Hido stated the following: "On the way to 25 November, there are again attacks and torture against women. Although there are international organisations and treaties signed, no one has stood up against violence against women and fulfilled their responsibilities. Violence against women, attacks against pioneer and politician women are still continuing. Now in Afrin, the Turkish state and its gangs continue their attacks against women, children and citizens."

 

‘International women's organisations must fulfil their responsibilities’

 

Finally, Roşîn Hido called on women's organisations around the world to fulfil their responsibilities and added "International women's organisations should raise their voices for women to take part in politics, to prevent violence, to improve women's rights and to develop economically. Because the reason for the continuation of violence is silence. Women in all international organisations must unite and fulfil their responsibilities against violence. They should raise their voices internationally against the Turkish occupation in Afrin and put pressure on Turkey."