By Nalin Ali
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Human rights activists in Qamishli, northeast Syria, argue that international law inadequately addresses Turkey’s crimes and violations in the region, relying solely on empty threats without enforcing real accountability.
A human rights conference took place in Qamishli on Oct. 21, titled “Crimes of the Turkish Occupation State According to International Law”, the conference aimed to discuss the Turkish attacks on northeast Syria that occurred between Oct.4 and 10. During this period, Turkey directly targeted civilians, infrastructure, and vital facilities in the region.
Nesrin Othman, Co-chair of Lawyers Union in Hasakah Governorate, operating within areas held by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), labeled Turkey’s attacks in northeastern Syria as “war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide.”
In the margins of the conference interviews, Othman told North Press that they engaged directly with international human rights activists to provide “detailed evidence and documents on the Turkish government’s violations against civilians in northeast Syria.”
She condemned Turkey’s targeting of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) center in Derik (al-Malikiyah), far northeast Syria, saying that it is “a genocide and a war crime” because the Asayish is civilian forces and responsible for maintaining the region’s security.
Many sites in northeast Syria were exposed to heavy Turkish air and missile bombardment, affecting infrastructure, vital facilities, oil and gas wells.
In turn, Asem Ahmad, a lawyer in Qamishli, told North Press that “most of the crimes committed by Turkey are considered war crimes according to international humanitarian law, international law, and the International Criminal Court, in addition to the four Geneva Conventions.”
According to Ahmad, while there are “laws against such crimes, in reality they are not enforced effectively enough. The means used to investigate and prosecute people for these crimes are merely threats and statements, rather than actual prosecution of those responsible like the Turkish regime personals.
Jwan Muhammad, Co-chair of the Lawyers Union in Hasakah Governorate, said they held human rights seminar to “shed light on the crimes committed by Turkey in northeast Syria.” He stressed that those crimes amount to genocide, aggression and crimes against humanity.
Muhammad further explained that they as lawyers and human rights activists feel a responsibility to monitor and document these crimes accurately in a legal and human rights compliant manner. The goal is to build an official case that can be referred to relevant international bodies to seek proper enforcement and accountability.
Muhammad said that the “legal and human rights issues always have long term results, but we must fulfill our duty to monitor these crimes that target infrastructure, civilians and livelihoods in northeast Syria.”
For his part, international law researcher, Jwan Isso, referred to the paradox in Turkey’s statements regarding what is happening in Gaza, and its actions and violations in northeast Syria.
“Turkey condemns what Israel is doing today in Gaza, but it openly carries out strikes and hits the infrastructure in northeast Syria,” he told North Press. Additionally, the lawyers discussed the double standards of the UN regarding the Syrian issue and global issues. They concluded by forming a follow-up and documentation committee for “violations”, especially the Turkish violations committed in northeast Syria.