A group of Syrian refugees called for wholesale changes to the law in their country to create equality for women.

The women and men made the call after watching Honor Diaries, Clarion Project’s documentary film that exposes the treatment of women in Islamist societies.

The event was hosted by the Kawakbi Center for Human Rights in Mersin, Turkey with dozens of refugees in attendance.

During a two-hour discussion following the film, numerous refugees said the film “talks about what Arab society hides under the carpet.” They said the film gives them encouragement and motivation.

Asked if the film and the Kawakbi Center for Human Rights are rewriting the Quran, organizers explained  they try to view the text in a modern way. What applied 1,500 years ago is not necessarily applicable today, they said.

Participants made as to what can be done legally to help Syrian women. They want to see the issue of women’s rights being part of any constitution that will be introduced by a new government in Syria:

1.       Legislation against child marriage

2.       Legislation against violence in family and women in particular

3.       End the practice of forgiving the crime of rape if the rapist marries the victim

4.       Equality in punishment for both sexes in adultery cases

5.       Legislation against female genital mutilation (even though FGM isn’t a real problem in Syria)

6.       Objection to any discrimination against women in the constitution and the law.

Watch the trailer: