UN Experts Decry Targeted Abductions and Violence Against Alawite Women in Syria

The experts heavily criticized the Syrian interim Government for what they described as systemic failures in investigation and response.

UN human rights experts have sounded the alarm over a disturbing pattern of targeted abductions, disappearances, and gender-based violence against women and girls in the Syrian Arab Republic, particularly from the Alawite minority. Since February 2025, reports have emerged documenting the disappearance of 38 Alawite females—ranging in age from as young as 3 years to 40—across several Syrian governorates including Latakia, Tartous, Hama, Homs, Damascus, and Aleppo.

Many of these victims were reportedly abducted in broad daylight while carrying out ordinary activities—traveling to school, visiting relatives, or even within the supposed safety of their homes. Families of the victims, already traumatized by the loss, have reportedly faced threats that discourage them from reporting the incidents or seeking justice.

Pattern of Systemic Abuse and Inaction

UN experts emphasized the emergence of a distressing pattern marked by gender-based violence, including forced marriage of minors and possibly sexual violence, often compounded by a failure of institutional response. Several reports indicate that victims were physically assaulted, and in some cases, drugged during their captivity.

Notably, the lack of a survivor-sensitive and safe reporting infrastructure makes it difficult to verify accounts of sexual abuse. Nonetheless, given the described nature of the assaults, the experts stressed that sexual violence cannot be ruled out.

The experts heavily criticized the Syrian interim Government for what they described as systemic failures in investigation and response. According to the accounts, authorities have often refused to register formal complaints and, in several instances, dismissed the concerns of the victims' families outright.

Targeted Violence Against Minority Women

The situation paints a grim picture of what appears to be a targeted campaign against Alawite women and girls, situated at the intersection of ethnic and gender discrimination. “This pattern reflects an alarming exploitation of vulnerable groups, particularly minority women, amid Syria’s ongoing instability and erosion of the rule of law,” the experts noted.

Worryingly, several cases have reportedly involved individuals with ties to Syrian security institutions or those affiliated with the interim Government. The UN experts reminded the authorities of their international legal obligations to prevent violence, investigate abuses, prosecute perpetrators, and support survivors—including access to psychosocial care and justice mechanisms.

Impunity, Trauma, and Urgent Calls to Action

According to the experts, the Syrian interim Government’s lack of meaningful response fosters a culture of impunity and deepens the suffering of already-traumatized families. They called for urgent remedial action, stressing the necessity of safe and gender-sensitive complaint mechanisms, female investigators, and robust support services for survivors.

Moreover, the experts reiterated the state’s responsibility to actively search for those who have disappeared and ensure accountability. They also emphasized the importance of rebuilding public trust in the justice system, particularly for women and girls from minority communities who remain disproportionately vulnerable to violence.

Wider Context of Minority Attacks in Syria

The targeting of Alawite women is not an isolated event. The experts linked the violence to broader attacks on Syria’s minority groups. Citing a recent incident in Suweida where unidentified gunmen killed several Druze civilians—including two women and two children—the experts underscored the worsening threats facing ethnic and religious minorities across the country.

“All women and girls—including those from religious and ethnic minorities—have the right to live in safety and dignity,” the experts concluded. “The international community must not turn a blind eye to this crisis, and the Syrian interim Government must fulfill its duty to protect every citizen regardless of identity.”

Ongoing Engagement

UN experts have initiated formal contact with the Syrian interim Government, pressing for accountability, transparency, and urgent intervention to halt this escalating crisis. Their demands underscore a broader call for international scrutiny and protection for minority groups in Syria, especially women and girls facing multilayered threats.