Understanding the lives of the women, men and children of Al-Hol camp – ReliefWeb

A Gender-Responsive Analysis of Arbitrary Detention and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Study Mandate and Objectives

This report presents findings from an anthropological study examining the gendered experiences of women and girls arbitrarily detained in the Al-Hol camp. The research interrogates assumptions regarding their alleged affiliations with ISIL/Da’esh and provides an in-depth analysis of the camp’s socioeconomic composition. The primary objective is to generate evidence that supports a human rights-based, gender-responsive policy approach, directly contributing to the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The study focuses on under-researched forms of gendered experiences, including extreme violence, exploitation, and insecurity, to inform policies that protect and empower women and girls.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): By analyzing the context of indefinite, mass arbitrary detention, the report advocates for solutions rooted in human rights and the rule of law.

The Context of Al-Hol Camp: A Crisis of Human Rights and Sustainable Development

Demographics and Governance

Since 2016, Al-Hol has served as a site of prolonged arbitrary detention for tens of thousands of individuals. The camp remains under the de facto control of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with highly restricted movement and severely under-resourced humanitarian operations.

• At its peak in 2019, the population was estimated at 73,000, of which 91 per cent were women and children.
• As of July 2024, the population was 41,032 individuals, comprising 44 per cent Iraqi, 40 per cent Syrian, and 16 per cent third-country nationals.

Systematic Violations and Setbacks to the 2030 Agenda

Conditions within the camp are characterized by systematic human rights violations that fundamentally undermine progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations human rights bodies have documented findings of torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

1. Violation of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The practices of arbitrary and incommunicado detention, enforced disappearance, and lack of family contact represent a complete failure to uphold the rule of law and provide access to justice (Target 16.3). Endemic insecurity and violence directly contravene the goal of reducing all forms of violence (Target 16.1).
2. Violation of SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Women and girls face specific and extreme forms of violence, insecurity, and structural discrimination, hindering any progress on eliminating violence against women and girls (Target 5.2).
3. Violation of Foundational SDGs for Human Dignity: The lack of access to basic services constitutes a multi-faceted development crisis, impeding:
   • SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Inadequate access to food and life-saving services.
   • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Lack of sufficient healthcare.
   • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Absence of educational opportunities.
   • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Lack of access to clean water.

Policy Framework and Future Outlook

Evolving Political Landscape

Following a March 2025 agreement between the AANES and new Syrian interim authorities, the political and security landscape is in flux. While administrative coordination has begun, the future of Al-Hol and other detention sites remains uncertain, posing a significant challenge to establishing the stable institutions required for SDG 16.

UN Women’s Role in Advancing a Rights-Based Solution

This study was initiated by UN Women to implement Recommendation 4 of the All-of-UN Taskforce on Al-Hol. The mandate calls for a strategic approach that aligns with the core principles of the 2030 Agenda.

• The UN is tasked to recognize that women and girls in Al-Hol are not a homogenous group, a principle central to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and the commitment to “leave no one behind.”
• The recommendation mandates a human rights-based and gender-responsive approach to all interventions, reinforcing the centrality of SDG 5 and SDG 16 in resolving the crisis.
• This comprehensive gender analysis provides the evidence base needed to shift from indefinite detention to sustainable, rights-based solutions.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article focuses on the “gendered experiences of arbitrary detention,” “women’s alleged links or family ties to ISIL/Da’esh,” and the specific humanitarian and protection risks for “women and girls.” It highlights the UN Women mandate to conduct a “comprehensive gender analysis” and promote a “gender-responsive” approach, directly connecting to the goal of achieving gender equality.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This is a central theme, as the article describes a situation of “prolonged arbitrary detention,” “incommunicado detention,” and systematic “human rights violations.” It mentions findings of “torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment” and a general state of “insecurity and violence,” all of which are antithetical to peace, justice, and strong, accountable institutions.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article explicitly states there is “inaccessibility to and inadequate life-saving and basic services” and a “lack of access to… healthcare” in the Al-Hol camp. These conditions directly undermine the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The text points to a “lack of access to… education” for the camp’s inhabitants, a significant portion of whom are children. This directly relates to the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article mentions a “lack of access to… food” as one of the severe conditions in the camp, connecting the situation to the fundamental goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to food.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• A “lack of access to water” is listed among the human rights violations and inadequate basic services in the camp, linking the issues directly to this SDG.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article discusses “structural discrimination” and the need to address the “varying circumstances and needs” of the detained women and girls, who are treated as a homogenous group. This highlights the inequality they face based on their status and gender, connecting to the goal of reducing inequality.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • The article’s focus on “structural discrimination” and the need for a “gender-responsive manner” to address the varying needs of women and girls directly relates to this target.
2. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
   • The text describes “cases of extreme violence, insecurity, and criminality” and examines “gendered experiences” of these threats, which aligns with the goal of eliminating violence against women.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The mention of “insecurity and violence” and findings of “torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment” point to the relevance of this target.
2. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • The article states that at its peak, 91% of the camp’s population were women and children and discusses “exploitation” and “human rights” risks, making this target highly relevant.
3. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The core issue of “prolonged arbitrary detention,” “incommunicado detention,” and the absence of legal process described in the article is a direct violation of the rule of law and access to justice.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • The article’s statement about “inadequate life-saving and basic services” and “lack of access to… healthcare” directly corresponds to the failure to meet this target for the camp’s population.

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
   • The identified “lack of access to… education” for a population that includes a large number of children shows a clear connection to this target.

SDG 2, 6, and 10

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • The “lack of access to… food” mentioned in the article directly relates to this target.
2. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • The “lack of access to water” is a specific condition highlighted in the text, aligning with this target.
3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… sex… or other status.
   • The article’s call to recognize that women and girls are “not a homogenous group” and to address their “varying circumstances” in a non-discriminatory way relates to promoting inclusion and ending discrimination.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Total population in arbitrary detention: The article provides a specific number: “41,032 individuals” as of July 2024. This figure serves as a direct indicator of the scale of arbitrary detention (relevant to SDG 16).
• Demographic composition of the detained population: The article provides percentages, such as “91 per cent of whom were women and children” (at its peak) and the breakdown by nationality (“44 per cent were Iraqi, 40 per cent were Syrian and 16 per cent were TCNs”). These are key indicators for understanding the scope of gender and child protection issues (SDG 5, SDG 16).
• Prevalence of human rights violations: The article lists specific violations like “enforced disappearance; arbitrary detention; incommunicado detention; lack of family contact; structural discrimination… torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.” The frequency and number of reported cases of these violations would be a direct indicator of progress towards justice and rule of law (SDG 16).
• Access to basic services: The article implies indicators by stating there is a “lack of access to water, food, healthcare and education.” A measurable indicator would be the percentage of the camp population with consistent and adequate access to each of these essential services (SDG 2, 3, 4, 6).
• Prevalence of violence and insecurity: The mention of “extreme violence, insecurity, and criminality” implies that the number of reported violent incidents within the camp is a critical indicator for measuring safety and progress towards reducing violence (SDG 5, SDG 16).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: reliefweb.int