WUNRN
http://www.inclusivesecurity.org/syrian-women-demand-end-to-siege-of-zabadani/
SYRIA WOMEN DEMAND END TO SIEGE OF ZABADANI
Photo: Robert
Geiss/AP Images
By
Lauren Conroy
- August 24, 2015
No corner of Syria
has been untouched by the violence that has consumed the country for the past
four years. The city of Zabadani is no exception. Located close to the border
with Lebanon, Zabadani is geographically strategic due to its position on the highway
connecting Damascus and Beirut. Since July 2015, the Syrian army and Hezbollah
have battled for control of the city against the ultraconservative Sunni Ahar
a-Sham insurgent group. The people of Zabadani, meanwhile, are stuck in the
middle—unable to flee the barrel bombs and left without food, shelter, or
medical care.
In response, a
brave group of more than 470 women have risked their lives by publicly signing
a statement demanding that the parties stop the violence. They call upon the
forces involved in the siege, as well as the UN, to establish a ceasefire and
guarantee protection of all residents in Zabadani and neighboring areas.
Despite all they’ve endured, these women continue to prioritize a peaceful
solution, rather than military action. (To read recommendations from Syrian
women leaders on how to ensure an inclusive political transition, click here.)
Here is their
STATEMENT (click here for Arabic version):
ZABADANI WOMEN
INITIATIVE: “STOP THE VIOLENCE”
August 17, 2015
- We
are a group of women from Zabadani, Syria who have suffered during the last
three years from bombing, arbitrary detention, killings and discrimination
based on regional identity. We demand that all the forces involved in the siege
on Zabadani and its neighboring areas find a permanent solution that guarantees
protection for all as well as an immediate end to the violence.
Montaha’s Cry is to protect the
besieged civilians. She is a mother from Zabadani whose nineteen year old child
is trapped in a besieged area. He has never carried a weapon. Montaha demands
the safety of her child and her right to save his life.
Layla’s Cry is for the sake
of injured people. She is a seventy year old woman from Zabadani. She was shot
by a sniper at the Hekmeh checkpoint. She cannot leave Zabadani and she has
been obliged to change her place of residence more than once to save her life.
Manal’s Cry is for the sake
of sick people as she herself has cancer and lives in Madaya. She has
experienced discrimination in the form of lack of access to healthcare services
and inability to move freely simply because of the fact she is from Zabadani.
Amal’s Cry is to save lives.
She is a doctor from Zabadani in her forties. She gives people hope by
remaining in Zabadani despite the siege to provide medical care and attempting
to help injured people and do her human duty.
For the sake of
standing by these women, who represent a small sample of the women of Zabadani
and the surrounding areas, we demand that the United Nations as well as the
parties involved in the conflict adhere closely to the following: