Human rights in Syria

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The situation for human rights in Syria is considered very poor among international observers.[1][2] A state of emergency was in effect from 1963 until April 2011. This gave security forces sweeping powers of arrest and detentions.[2]

LGBT rights[change | change source]

Article 520 of the penal code of 1949, prohibits having homosexual relations, i.e. "carnal relations against the order of nature", and provides for up to three-years imprisonment.[3]

In 2010 the Syrian police began a crackdown that led to the arrest of over 25 men. The men were charged with many crimes ranging from homosexual acts and illegal drug use, to encouraging homosexual behavior and organizing obscene parties.[4]

Women's rights[change | change source]

In the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), there are Mala Jins (Women's houses) in more than 60 localities where women can seek refuge and demand justice.[5] There the women get support in matters like divorce, rape, beatings and other forms of domestic violence.[5] The women of the Mala Jin, have the authority to speak out banishments. In more serious cases they encourage to file a criminal case.[6] Underage marriage is banned within the territory of the AANES.[5] In 2019 it passed a set of laws further strengthening women's rights.[7]

References[change | change source]

  1. World Report 2010 Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 Archived 22 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, pg. 555.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Amnesty International Report 2009, Syria". Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Refworld – Syria: Treatment and human rights situation of homosexuals: Legal provisions concerning homosexual activity; social treatment of homosexuals (including the issue of "honour killings")" (PDF). Refworld. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 January 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  4. Brocklebank, Christopher (2010-06-23). "Syrian authorities crack down on gay men". Pink News. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Flock, Elizabeth (2021-07-19). "'Now I've a purpose': why more Kurdish women are choosing to fight". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  6. Magpie, Jo. "Regaining hope in Rojava". Open Democracy. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  7. "Women's Laws in Rojava – Northern Syria". Kongra Star. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2021-07-21.