My name is Raya, I’m a Syrian human rights defender and next week will be an important moment for me when I travel to New York, along with world leaders, UN ambassadors, foreign ministers, for the 80th United National General Assembly.
It’s a moment when the world gathers to face humanity’s greatest challenges and for the first time in decades, Syria’s leader will address the UN Assembly. Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa will meet global powers and the world will be listening. I will be there to make sure the voices of Syria’s victims and survivors are also heard, demanding that justice and human rights lead the global agenda.
Along with other survivors, families of victims, human rights defenders and lawyers, I will be calling for justice for every war crime committed in Syria – for violence of the past year to the atrocities of the past 15 years, every perpetrator no matter their sect or allegiance must be held accountable under the rules set out by international law.
Today I need your support to make sure our voices are heard at UNGA. Join me in calling on UN Secretary General António Guterres to demand real justice for war crimes in Syria. Write your message on a piece of paper or cardboard, take a photo of yourself holding it, and send it to [email protected]. Together, our voices will create an urgent push ahead of UNGA.
Raya Homsi holds her message to UN Secretary General António Guterres
In 2012, my fiancé and I were planning for our wedding when he was taken in Damascus by Assad’s forces and forcibly disappeared for peacefully protesting and daring to dream of a free and democratic Syria. My life was shattered. I searched for him for years, refusing to accept the silence. We had promised each other that if anything happened to one of us, the other would never stop until Syria was free. I never imagined I would walk this heavy path alone. I could not save him, but I will not let his dream die.
For me, and for so many others, justice means a Syria where no one vanishes for speaking out, no civilian is killed with impunity, where families finally know the fate of their loved ones, and where dignity and freedom for all Syrians are protected by law. We cannot bring our loved ones back, it is heartbreaking, but keeping my promise means I will never rest until we reach the Syria we dreamt of.
The fear and violence that so many continue to endure in Syria today is caused by the impunity that is being allowed to flourish. If crimes go unpunished, it follows that more will continue. We are witnessing the reality of this today and it is terrifying.