Afrinpost – Special
In a special statement to the “afrinpost” website, Nadine Mainza, Vice President of the American Committee for International Religious Freedom USCIRF, welcomed the report of the International Investigation Committee, which confirms the violations against religious minorities, and considered that the Autonomous Administration in northern and eastern Syria still provides the best conditions for religious freedom in the Middle East. Noting that the committee called on the American administration to grant it political recognition as a local government, and below is the full interview:
afrinpost : Thanks for your strong voice on these issues! First, how do you comment on what was stated in the last report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, in the paragraphs related to what religious minorities like Yezidis, Christians and Alawites encounter in the areas occupied by Turkey in northern Syria (Afrin and Ras al-Ain) …
Mainza: We welcome the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry of the Syrian Arab Republic report confirming the horrific conditions for Yezidis, Christians, and other minority communities in the areas Turkey has invaded and now occupies. UN Panel Chair Paulo Pinherio indicated that, “the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army may have committed the war crimes of hostage-taking, cruel treatment, torture and rape.”
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a hearing in June on “Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria” that documented killings, rapes, kidnappings, forced conversation, extortion, and the destruction of religious sites by Turkish-aligned forces in Afrin, Ras al-Ain, and other areas in Northern Syria. Genocide Watch has also condemning these atrocities calling them war crimes and crimes against humanity.
These areas used to be beautiful and tolerant communities governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). This remarkable government was created in the middle of a civil war, while fighting ISIS, and still offers the best religious freedom conditions in the Middle East. The contrast between AANES and Turkey could not be more stark. For that reason, USCIRF has recommended that the U.S. government expand its engagement with AANES, give political recognition to them as a legitimate local government, and lift sanctions from the areas they govern. The US should also demand their inclusion in all activities related to UN Res. 2254. Including AANES in the political solution is likely the only way to ensure religious freedom survives in Syria.
afrinpost :In its report issued on April 28, 2020, the USCIRF called on the US administration to exert pressure on Ankara to withdraw from Syria due to its violations of human rights and religious minorities in the areas it occupies, such as Afrin and Ras al-Ain. Is there a practical American response to your calls except statements?
Maniza : In our 2020 Annual report, we certainly surprised some with our bold recommendation that the U.S. government should “exert significant pressure on Turkey to provide a timeline for its withdrawal from Syria.” It is clear that when Turkey has invaded and occupied land in Syria, their forces and Islamist allies have committed egregious violations of religious freedom against minorities communities. We appreciate that the Administration and Congress continue to dialogue with us concerning these recommendations and hope they are being seriously considered.
afrinpost :Turkish officials rejected what was stated in the USCIRF report and did not accept the description of the areas in which they intervened militarily as the occupied territories, and they said that the report is based on allegations and unknown sources, thus Turkish violations of religious freedoms and beliefs continue. Is there any additional steps to follow up on this issue to save what can be saved in the face of the danger of extremism and excessive military force?
Maniza : With the United Nations now reporting war crimes in their new report, it is becoming more difficult for Turkey to dismiss these reports as erroneous. There is simply too much evidence. We must continue to speak out and pressure the international community to acknowledge the reality of what is happening in northeast Syria. If we get this wrong, it could mean the end of Yazidis and some of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Fortunately, the chorus of voices calling attention to this situation continues to grow. It is clear that the US government and international community can no longer look away.
USCIRF is very concerned about reports that Kurdish Christians converts are being targeted with charges of apostasy in Afrin. In particular, we are concerned about Radwan Muhammad who was arrested for having a Christian funderal for his wife. We do hope that Turkish authorities push for the immediate release of Radwan.
