The Syrian Feminist Lobby is shocked and deeply saddened by the murder of the child Nour Al-Dous, who was killed in cold blood.
We call upon the judicial and law enforcement authorities to conduct an independent, transparent, and prompt investigation that fully establishes the circumstances surrounding the case, determines all criminal and administrative responsibilities, and ensures that everyone found to have been involved or negligent is held accountable, free from any social or political pressure or considerations.
In this context, we draw attention to widely circulated allegations, including statements made by the child’s mother concerning previous violence to which Nour had allegedly been subjected.
The case raises serious concerns regarding the judiciary’s previous handling of the mother’s complaints. She stated that she had filed a legal complaint concerning the violence and abuse her daughter experienced after custody was transferred to the child’s father. According to her account, the judge failed to take urgent measures to protect the child and instead disregarded the matter on the grounds that the father had the right to raise his daughter. Should these allegations be substantiated, they would constitute not merely a procedural error but a grave failure of the child protection system, requiring both legal and professional accountability.
This crime is not an isolated incident. It was preceded by the murder of the child Farah in Ghabagheb at the hands of members of her own family. These cases demonstrate the urgent need for legislative and institutional reforms that place the safety of children and women above all other considerations, as well as effective legislation to combat domestic violence against women and children. Such legislation must make the best interests of the child its primary consideration, rather than relying on inflexible laws that deprive mothers of custody solely on the basis of the child’s age.
We unequivocally condemn these heinous crimes against children and demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice through due process of law. We also demand accountability for those responsible for failing to protect Nour, should it be established that such negligence occurred and contributed to her death.
