The Continued Detention of Dr. Faten Rajab Fawaz and the Plight of Syrian Women

Media Note

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

May 14, 2013

Since the start of the Syrian revolution, the Assad regime has subjected the women of Syria to grave psychological and physical violations of their rights. Syrian women have been arbitrarily arrested, raped, murdered, tortured and forced into displacement. Assad forces have targeted women in particular with disregard for all customs, laws and international treaties on human rights.

Today marks 18 months since the arrest of physicist and atomic scientist Dr. Faten Rajab Fawaz. This marks Assad’s blatant violation of human rights against a symbol of the nation, and one of the most distinguished members of its scientific community. The Syrian Coalition voices its deep concern regarding the unknown fate of Dr. Fawaz, especially after news reports of her sudden transfer from the Air Intelligence Division to Division 215, which is affiliated with the notorious Military Intelligence.

The Syrian Coalition holds the Assad regime completely responsible for the fate of Doctor Fawaz. We request that international human rights organizations urgently intervene to help uncover the fate of Dr. Fawaz and ensure her safety and immediate release.

The Syrian Coalition reiterates its call to the international community to assume its responsibilities and do everything possible to stop these human rights violations. The international community must do its part in helping to save the lives of Syrian women in Assad’s detention facilities, and to protect women in besieged areas where Assad continues to commit massacres.