Aleppo- On April 1, 2025, a 14-article agreement was signed between the Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and the interim government of Syria. The agreement includes articles protecting and respecting the social and cultural identity of the residents of these neighborhoods, promoting peaceful coexistence, and preventing any attacks or violations against them.

‘The agreement will provide important perspective’

NuJINHA spoke to Hevin Süleyman, Co-chair of the Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, about the agreement. “The agreement will provide an important perspective on the regional peace and social change in Syria,” she said, indicating that the agreement “is a successful step to break the mindset that does not recognize the right to self-determination.”

‘A historic step’

Describing the agreement as “A historic step”, Hevin Süleyman said, “The agreement was signed at a sensitive time for political balance in Syria. The agreement signed by Syria’s interim government and our council is an important agreement on recognizing the will of women and promoting their participation in decision-making positions.”

‘Freedoms and rights are not given but taken’

Hevin Süleyman criticized the constitutional declaration approved by the interim government in Syria, stressing that the declaration does not protect women’s rights. She also called on all Syrian women to have a strong will and ensure that their rights are guaranteed in the constitution. “The new regime does not recognize the will of women. Therefore, women must make more efforts to participate in politics and decision-making positions. One of the goals of the Syrian revolution is to build a country, where people enjoy democracy and their freedoms and women enjoy their rights. All Syrian women must unite to take back their rights because freedoms and rights are not given but taken.”

Hevin Süleyman emphasized that their aim “is to build a democratic Syria where the rights of all ethnic and religious identities are guaranteed in the constitution. The current constitutional declaration does not represent the wishes and will of the Syrian people. We hope that the agreement about the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh will contribute to regional peace and build a democratic Syria.”