Prime Minister Wael al-Halaqi on Monday discussed with Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, and the accompanying delegation prospects of cooperation between Syria and the UN to confront sexual abuse committed against women and children in areas controlled by terrorist organizations.
Premier al-Halaqi reviewed the steps taken by the government to combat sexual abuse and violence against women and children, which included passing laws to combat human trafficking and increasing penalties for rape and “honor crimes” and joining international agreements on anti-discrimination and women’s rights.
He asserted that the government is committed to maintaining a social protection system that covers women and children, stressing the integral role of cooperation between the government, civil society associations, and prominent social figures to promote the concepts of human rights.
Al-Halaqi also pointed out to the various violations committed by terrorists, which include rape of women and children, violating personal and religious freedoms, and trafficking in Syrian women in refugee camps in Turkey in Jordan, stressing the need for international cooperation to combat terrorism and its extremist mentality that promotes sexual violence, murder, and crimes against women and children.
For her part, Bangura lauded the Syrian government’s efforts to protect women and children and reduce the negative repercussions of the crisis that affect them, underlining the need to boost cooperation and implement joint plans and programs in this regard