State Gifts for Martyrs Families

How can we reward those who scarified flesh to offer safety and peace for likes? How can we compensate those who granted their soul to defend ours? Those who forewent everything protecting their homeland’s dignity had left wives and children, fathers and mothers.

 We, as people, highly appreciate their sacrifice and respect the families they come from, as they have offered their beloved sons for the sake of Syria’s sovereignty and dignity. The state as well does not forget its sons, nor deal with them as victims of the ongoing conflict. It deemed them as heroes who sacrificed their life to give others existence. Therefore through distinct respects, it looks after its citizens and rewards those preserving it.

   The government has seriously assumed its responsibility in taking care of and embracing the martyrs’ families, as well as alleviating the suffering and sorrow of their children, wives, and parents. Recently, several new legislations have been taken to compensate parents for the loss of their sons. In this context, government has found what is called the “Martyrs Office” all over the Syrian governorates to take care of the martyrs’ families, and as to provide moral and financial assistance.

   To further focus on working process and tasks of the office, ST visited the Martyrs’ Office in Homs and met the Head of the office who stated: ” The office was set up in the governorate’s Secretariat acting in accordance with Workers Basic Law No. 50 of 2004, along with the charitable Presidential decree No. 253 for 2012, that arranges for founding a special administrative center for martyrs in Homs under the name “Martyrs’ Office”. The main task of that office is to follow up military and civic martyrs’ families’ diverse affairs and concerns. “

    Highlighting the office main tasks, the “Martyrs’ Office” Head stressed that among the most essential tasks of the office are:  To receive and registry all military martyrs families’ requests, as well as those of civic employees victims’ families by sending them to the concerned authorities. Second, to follow up all transactions coming to the office regarding pensions and other welfares granted to martyrs’ families complying with laws and regulations, and third, to prepare periodic follow up reports in coordination with Administrative Development Directorate in the governorate.

   Furthermore, the head added the Office is a also tasked with giving one appointment place in public bodies, for one member of the military martyr family under annual contracts, besides appointing one member of the civic worker martyrs’ family in the public bodies within the Youth Employment Program. According to Presidency Cabinet order No. 869/1 for 15/1/2012, the martyr’s father is the one determining  the family member deserving the granted job opportunity if the martyr was single, whereas it is his wife if he was married; stressing that the martyr’s family is to benefit from only one work opportunity.

  “Problems facing military martyrs’ families’ transactions are resolved in communication with each of the Martyrs Office in the Ministry of Defense, Interior Ministry, and relevant public authorities.” the official added.

   Concerning  the martyrs families’ requests related to their sufferers treatment, the Office Head clarified that several communications were made with charities, as all showed willingness to coordinate with the Martyrs Office  to meet the martyrs’ families demands, and help in the search of missing persons; as well as offer all the possible financial and humanitarian aid.

  “The office also organizes periodic honoring festivals for the martyrs’ families where nominal financial subsidies are offered. To date, an amount of approximately 19 million SP were allocated to support martyrs’ families and affected families as well.” he concluded.

Amal Farhat