HRW criticizes Turkey over abuses in northern Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized on Thursday Turkey for failing to address serious human rights violations committed by its affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) factions in areas under its control in northern Syria.
In its 2025 World Report, the organization highlighted that Turkey’s growing regional influence should not overshadow concerns about its domestic democratic backsliding.
Hugh Williamson, HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director, stated, “International partners shouldn’t overlook Türkiye’s repressive human rights record at home as Erdoğan’s regional influence has risen with the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.”
“The Turkish government needs to stop initiating bogus criminal proceedings and detention orders against its critics, to stop removing elected local politicians, and to carry out the binding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights,” he added.
The report accused Turkey of failing to curb grave human rights abuses by SNA factions in areas under its de facto control in northern Syria.
“Türkiye failed to curb grave human rights abuses by its Syrian National Army (SNA) proxies in areas of northern Syria under its effective control,” the report read.
According to the HRW, both Kurds and Arabs in these regions have been subjected to arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, unfair military trials, and forced displacement.
Thousands have been forcibly uprooted from their homes, with their properties and lands seized.
“Kurds and Arabs in those areas have been subjected to arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment, sexual violence, and unfair military trials, with thousands forcibly displaced, their property and land seized.”
The report called for international accountability and urges Turkey’s partners to address these violations rather than overlook them amid its rising geopolitical clout.