RONIDA HAJI

AL-HASAKAH_ The free woman, who draws her strength from her independent will and liberated thought, is capable of embodying the values of the democratic nation and transforming them from mere political discourse into a living approach manifested in the details of her life, identity, decisions, and relationships with others.

Hevrin Khalaf embodies one of the most prominent images of this struggle, as her political experience and positions formed a symbol of the pursuit of building a democratic, free, and multi-component Syria. With the arrival of the seventh anniversary of her martyrdom, demands are renewed to hold those responsible for assassination accountable, and to affirm that the passage of years will not fold the file of her case, nor drop her right to justice. Preserving her struggle legacy begins eith revealing the truth, holding the perpetrators accountable, and continuing the struggle for the values for which she dedicated her life to defending.

"Hevrin Khalaf Worked for the Unity of Syria's Components"

Rima Issa, a member of the Diplomatic Relations Committee of the Future Syria Party, confirmed that Hevrin Khalaf left, through her political work and struggle for building a democratic, free, and multi-spectrum Syria, an important legacy for continuing the struggle of women and political forces.

She explained that Hevrin Khalaf was a strong-willed political figure, enjoying the love and respect of the various components in the region. "Despite the dangerous conditions that followed the start of the Turkish state's attacks on Sari Kani and Tal Abyad on 9 October 2019, Hevrin Khalaf did not abandon her political work."

She noted that Hevrin Khalaf headed to Raqqa to hold a meeting with Arab tribes, with the aim of strengthening unity between the region's components, and working for peace and coexistence between peoples.

She added that despite the dangers threatening her and the region, she continued her work. "The Future Syria Party was founded on the basis of solidarity between political parties and society's components. Hevrin Khalaf's goal was to build a democratic and free Syria, in which all its children could live in dignity and peace."

She continued: "Hevrin Khalaf, through her personality and political positions, strengthened many people's confidence in the project of building a democratic Syria. Her political legacy and struggle are still continuing in women's organizations and political parties, especially at this stage in which the discussion about the issue of democratic integration is taking place."

"Her Legacy Left an Important Message for Women's Organization"

Speaking about Hevrin Khalaf's role in the Rojava Revolution, Rima Issa explained that her struggle formed an important message for women from all components of society. "The importance of organizing women and enhancing their awareness is manifested in their participation in political and social life. Hevrin Khalaf's martyrdom caused sadness for many in Syria, because she was a political figure working for rapprochement between society's components. Commemorating the martyr Hevrin Khalaf acquires its meaning through continuing the work for which she sacrificed her life."

"We Will Continue Demanding Justice"

Rima Issa noted that the so-called Ahmed Ihsan Fayyad Al-Hayes, known as "Abu Hatem Shaqra," accused of killing Hevrin Khalaf, has been honored. She noted that the presence of persons accused of committing serious crimes within the ruling authority in the new Syria constitutes a great danger to women's gains and Syria's future.

She shed light on the importance of trying those responsible involved in the assassination of Hevrin Khalaf, confirming that they will not forget her file, and that they will continue demanding justice until the perpetrators are tried and punished. "The passage of years does not mean that one forgets their martyrs and their cause. We will keep Hevrin Khalaf's file open, and we will continue demanding justice until we reach it."

The Attack on Women's Symbols Reflects the Same Mentality

Regarding the attack that targeted the banner bearing the image of a woman's braid in Hasakah city, Rima Issa explained that there is no difference between this incident and the mentality that assassinated Hevrin Khalaf. "Hevrin was struggling for her land and the rights of her people, and the attack on women's symbols shows the continuation of the mentality that seeks to target the will and identity of Kurdish women."

She confirmed that their demands are not limited to trying those responsible for the assassination of Hevrin Khalaf only, but also include trying those involved in the acts of sabotage and attacks witnessed in the region.

At the end of her interview, Rima Issa, a member of the Diplomatic Relations Committee of the Future Syria Party, called for achieving justice, and stressed the importance of protecting women, their symbols, and their gains from attacks and violations.