Alkanawati, who serves as the Deputy Executive Director of “Women Now for Development,” addressed the session held on Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023, at the Security Council building in New York. Her speech focused on the political situation in Syria.
During her address, she stated:
“I wish I could return to Syria and stand with the brave male and female protesters in Sweida, Jaramana, Tartus, and other areas. However, I cannot, because I know that returning to Syria would mean ending up arrested, tortured, or killed.”
“Today, Syrian refugees in Turkey and Lebanon fear for their lives as demands rise in these countries to repatriate refugees to Syria. This exposes them to serious human rights violations, a breach of states’ international legal obligations. It is your duty as members of the Security Council to pressure host countries to protect refugees. My country is not safe. Presently, there are no conditions for the dignified, safe, and voluntary return of refugees.”
“At this moment, as I speak to you, Syrians are demonstrating in the streets, echoing the same words we said 12 years ago: ‘It is time for Assad to leave, so we have a chance to build a new country based on freedom, equality, and democracy’.”