RONÎDA HACÎ
Hasakah – Several women from North and East Syria voiced strong opposition to the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for 15–20 September 2025 by the Syrian Interim Government, calling on people to reject them as illegitimate and unrepresentative of the region’s diverse communities.

Amid Syria’s rapidly shifting political landscape, the elections have become one of the most contentious issues, highlighting structural challenges in building an inclusive democracy. While the Syrian Interim Government—described by critics as operating with a jihadist mentality—moves ahead with organizing elections in some areas, voices of rejection from North and East Syria are growing louder.

False pretexts, continued marginalization

Rojin Ali Khalaf, from the Kurdish community, accused the Interim Government of pursuing policies of denial and destruction, using insecurity as a pretext.

“North and East Syria is home to millions of civilians from different religions and backgrounds, yet the government refuses to hold elections here under the pretext of instability,” she said.

“Our region is far more secure and stable than many other areas in Syria. What we are witnessing is a continuation of the politics of denial and marginalization once practiced by the former regime,” she added.

‘These elections aim to divide Syria’

Sulav Bri, from the Syriac community, stressed that the planned elections will neither solve Syrians’ problems nor meet their aspirations. 

“When elections are held in Syria, they must include all sects and communities. But we are denied the right to participate. We reject these elections, as they serve only to divide the country and violate Syrians’ rights,” she said.
She emphasized that North and East Syria is today one of the safest and most peaceful regions in the country, where the Autonomous Administration allows all communities to enjoy their rights. “Our region is a true mosaic that guarantees every person their identity and place.”

Fatima Oweid, from the Arab community, also rejected any attempt to build a “new Syria” based on exclusion, division, and denial.
“To build a democratic, diverse, and decentralized Syria, the peoples of North and East Syria have resisted the denial policies of the former regime. Today, the Syrian Interim Government is applying the same policies again,” she said.

She underlined that women in the region have made significant sacrifices in the struggle for freedom:
“The women of North and East Syria have given their sons for freedom. No one can erase our existence or identity. These elections do not represent us, and we call on the international community and the United Nations not to recognize them, as they do not reflect the will of our people.”