As part of the “Shield of the Syrian Future Movement” program, which aims to commemorate figures who championed the Syrian revolution, we highlight today an exceptional individual who combined intellectual courage with on-the-ground activism: Ms. Hanadi Zahloot, an agricultural engineer, journalist, and human rights and feminist activist from Latakia Governorate.
Hanadi Zahloot represents a rare example of outspoken opposition from within the Alawite community, confronting a regime that has long sought to monopolize and politically exploit this community.
Thus, her experience is not merely a personal biography, but rather practical proof that the Syrian revolution was, in its essence, a comprehensive national revolution, not a sectarian conflict as the regime propagated.
Early Life and Beginnings:
Hanadi Zahloot was born in 1982 in the Sanoubar area of Jableh. She studied agricultural engineering, but her professional path remained intertwined with her human rights activism. She began her involvement early on in defending human rights, particularly the rights of women and detainees.
During that period, she worked under the pseudonym “Hiyam” or “Hiyam Jamil” due to security risks, and participated in clandestine union and human rights activities. She was also a member of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression during 2009 and 2010, where she contributed to documenting violations and raising awareness of human rights.
Her Role in the Syrian Revolution:
With the outbreak of the revolution in 2011, Hanadi Zahloot was among the first to join the peaceful movement. She helped coordinate demonstrations, joined the Local Coordination Committees (LCCs), and worked to convey the reality of the Syrian situation to international media.
Her activism later extended to political work abroad, where she joined the People’s Democratic Party of Syria, adhering to a democratic and civil vision that rejects tyranny in all its forms.
Arrest and Torture:
Due to her public activism, Hanadi Zahloot was arrested three times by the Syrian regime:
- First arrest (August 4, 2011): She was arrested in Jaramana and spent four months between the Political Security branch and Adra Women’s Prison.
- Second arrest (February 16, 2012): During a raid on the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, she was referred to a military court before being released in May 2012.
- Third arrest: This occurred later under similar circumstances.
During her detention, she was subjected to severe torture that resulted in a broken spine. She shared a cell with activist Tal al-Mallouhi.
She is considered the first woman from the Alawite sect to be arrested and publicly tried for her opposition, a precedent that shattered the sectarian narrative the regime attempted to establish.
Achievements and International Recognition:
Hanadi Zahloot documented her experience in her 2014 book, “To My Daughter,” which serves as a human testament to the revolution and imprisonment. She has received several international awards, most notably:
- The Human Rights Defender Award from the U.S. Department of State in 2013, presented by Deputy Secretary of State William Burns.
- The Italian Ilaria Alpi Award in recognition of her journalistic and human rights work.
- The Samira Khalil Award in its third edition in 2025 in Berlin.
She has also participated in international dialogues on media platforms such as France 24 and VOA, where she defended the national narrative of the Syrian revolution.
Her Ongoing Struggle:
Hanadi Zahloot settled in southern France, but continued her political and cultural activism by training young journalists and connecting those inside Syria with the outside world through media and human rights advocacy.
In March 2025, her family suffered a great tragedy when three of her brothers were killed in bloody events in the coastal region.
Despite this, she affirmed her commitment to the principles of justice and the rule of law, and called for a transparent investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Honoring the Syrian Future Movement:
Based on the Syrian Future Movement’s belief in the values of freedom and dignity, we announce the honoring of Hanadi Zahloot by awarding her the symbolic “Movement Shield,” in recognition of her struggle and sacrifices.
This honor is not merely an individual recognition, but rather an affirmation that the free voices that confronted tyranny will remain present in the national memory.
Conclusion:
Hanadi Zahloot embodies the true image of Syria: a Syria of pluralism, justice, and human dignity.
Honoring her is a clear message that the Syrian revolution was a comprehensive national project, and that those who defended human rights will remain at the heart of building the future.
