afrinpost
118 media, human rights, and cultural organizations have issued a joint statement calling on the international community to stop the widespread human rights violations in Afrin and throughout Syria, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure the return of all residents to their original homes. The statement pointed out that for the past five years, since the Turkish army and its affiliated militias took control of Afrin, its original inhabitants have been subjected to countless daily violations. Tens of thousands of other displaced people are prevented from returning to their land and homes and reclaiming their stolen property.
The documented violations in Afrin by independent international organizations and UN committees include unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances, ill-treatment, torture, looting, and property confiscation. Additionally, obstacles to the return of original residents, especially Kurds, and practices of “Turkification” and demographic change were reported.
The statement considered that the absence of accountability for these serious human rights violations and the continuing impunity makes the Turkish-occupied area entirely unsafe and not in line with the voluntary return standards set by the United Nations, as about 70% of Afrin’s original population have been forcibly displaced since 2018.
The statement referred to the report of the independent international investigation committee on Syria, issued on March 7, 2023, which mentioned the continuation of arrests and detentions by the “National Army” militias in Afrin, as well as the continued beating, torture, and ill-treatment of residents in detention centers. In some cases, detainees were beaten and tortured during interrogation in the presence of Turkish officials. The committee also documented cases of rape and sexual violence, including against children, committed by “National Army” elements, as well as property confiscation and preventing civilians from accessing their property and threatening them with arrest if they demanded their rights.
The signatory organizations called on the UN Security Council to take necessary measures to provide suitable conditions for the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of the residents of Afrin and all Syrians, and to provide effective mechanisms for redress for the victims and impose sanctions on perpetrators of violations, individuals and groups. They also demanded the following recommendations:
The United Nations:
To cease the evasion and neglect regarding the situation in Afrin and other Syrian territories occupied by Turkey, and urge the Turkish government to assume its responsibilities as an occupying power under international law.
The Turkish government:
- To stop politicizing the daily violations suffered by civilians throughout northern Syria, by denying and ignoring them, in order to evade describing them as an occupying force, despite confirmation by international human rights organizations and international committees of Turkish effective control and direct involvement in those areas.
- To assume responsibility for ensuring public order, safety, and providing special protection for women and children, by taking all measures within its jurisdiction to restore and ensure order and safety in the region and stop the violations committed by its forces and associated groups.
Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria:
To provide a comprehensive and accurate briefing on the role of all foreign/international countries involved in the Syrian conflict and its impact on the deterioration of compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Syria.
