War crime or crime against humanity

Turkish recent aggression on North and Northeast Syria

Introduction

Turkey shows disregard for civilian lives in northeast Syria through its drone strikes and artillery shelling. It violates the rights of the population through its indiscriminate attacks, as documented by the Monitoring and Documentation Department of North Press from Nov. 20, 2022, to Sep. 30, 2023. Turkey’s indiscriminate shelling has resulted in the killing of 49 civilians and the injury of 112 others, including 20 children and 16 women. These indiscriminate attacks violate international humanitarian law, also known as the laws of war, and amount to war crimes .

Even though Turkish authorities claim their attacks are guided, precise and target only military personnel, however the harm inflicted on civilians and the vital infrastructure relied upon by approximately three million people directly affects their lives and basic rights, such as access to water, food, and the right to live a dignified life and other rights, not to mention the physical and psychological damage caused by the bombings, as well as the lack of stability and security.

Turkey’s actions are a violation of the international humanitarian law, human rights laws, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. They also contravene international treaties and laws concerning the protection of civilians in times of conflict, making them war crimes. The statistics released by the Monitoring and Documentation Department of North Press serve as evidence that Turkey has not only targeted military posts but has also deliberately attacked civilian objects such as hospitals, schools, and factories. Furthermore, Turkey deliberately and systematically destroyed critical infrastructure, including water and electricity stations, grain silos, oil facilities, and other facilities that ensured the population’s right to live a dignified life.

See documentations and full file here.