At a dialogue forum in Aleppo, representatives from politics and civil society called for a comprehensive legal investigation into the murder of Hevrîn Xelef. The event focused on demands for international prosecution of the perpetrators and structural reform of the judicial system in Syria.
The forum, entitled “Justice for Hevrîn Xelef,” was organized by the Future Syria Party and took place in Aleppo’s Ashrafiyah neighborhood to mark the sixth anniversary of her death on October 12, 2019. The Kurdish politician and secretary-general of the “Future Syria Party was attacked and executed that day near Qamişlo by a Turkish-backed jihadist militia during the Turkish invasion at that time.
The forum opened with a minute’s silence for the victims of the war. Mihemed Girêr, co-chair of the Future Syria Party in Aleppo, then paid tribute to Hevrîn Xelef’s political work. He said Xelef had worked tirelessly for a democratic, pluralistic Syria, adding: “Her life and death stand for the pursuit of a free and just future for all peoples in Syria.”
A short film then traced the stages of Xelef’s life – from her childhood to her political career and her last position as secretary general of the Future Syria Party. Her mother, Suad Mustafa, also spoke, saying: “I will never forgive my daughter’s murderers. They must be brought to justice.”
Sharp criticism of impunity
In the subsequent discussion, Feysal Xelîl from the Democratic Civil Council criticized the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators. “Instead of being prosecuted, leading members of the responsible militia “Ahrar al-Sharqiya,” in particular its commander Abu Hatem Shaqra, were promoted and entrusted with official positions. Those who preach peace are murdered. Those who kill are honored—that is the reality we are facing,” said Xelîl.
A documented war crime
Emin Elîko, representative of the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) in Aleppo, said that Xelef’s murder was a “clearly documented assassination” which, according to international law, should be classified as a war crime and a crime against humanity. He formulated three key demands: international prosecution of the perpetrators before a special court for crimes in northern and eastern Syria; official documentation and referral of the case to international human rights institutions; international recognition of the case as a targeted attack on a civilian political actor – and thus as a violation of international humanitarian law.
Support from abroad
Voices from abroad also participated in the forum. Lawyer Hussein Naaso referred to Syrian and international legal principles that enable the criminal prosecution of perpetrators. Sînem Mihemed, representative of the MSD in the US, sent a video message. She praised the resistance of the people in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah and stated: “Hevrîn Xelef stood for a project of peace. Her legacy obliges us to continue fighting for justice and reconciliation.”