Femena stands in solidarity with Syrian woman human rights defender Rola Roukbi, Lebanon Country Director of Women Now for Development, who has faced a wave of online harassment, defamation, and hostile attacks following her briefing to the United Nations Security Council on 27 August 2026.
In her briefing, Roukbi raised legitimate concerns about Syria’s political transition, including the concentration of power, the absence of meaningful accountability, continuing violations against civilians, and the exclusion of women from decision-making. She called for a democratic and inclusive Syria founded on equal citizenship, the rule of law, transitional justice, and the meaningful participation of women.
The attacks against Roukbi are not an isolated incident. They reflect an increasingly hostile environment in which Syrian women human rights defenders, feminists, journalists, and civil society activists are targeted for expressing critical views, documenting violations, and demanding accountability. Women who speak publicly are frequently subjected to gendered insults, defamation, accusations of treason, and attempts to discredit or silence them.
Disagreement with political positions must never be used to justify harassment, intimidation, hate speech, or incitement. The ability of women human rights defenders to speak freely and participate in public and political life is essential to any credible and democratic transition.
Femena calls on the Syrian authorities and all relevant actors to publicly reject campaigns of harassment and incitement, protect freedom of expression, and ensure that women human rights defenders can carry out their work without fear of retaliation.
We stand with Rola Roukbi and with all Syrian women human rights defenders who continue to speak out for justice, equality, and human rights. Their voices must be protected—not punished or silenced.