European Parliament condemns Turkey’s violations in Afrin, NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – European Parliament condemned violations of human rights committed against Kurds in occupied Afrin Region, northwestern Syria, by Turkey and its affiliated armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), in addition to Turkish airstrikes on vital infrastructure in Northeast Syria.
On Feb.5, the Parliament stated Turkey and SNA factions established an “arbitrary rule” that to this day, the population, especially Kurds, endure “widespread and systematic violations, including, inter alia, forced disappearances, forced displacement, arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual violence, and destruction or seizure of property.”
The Afrin region has been under the occupation of Turkey and its affiliated SNA factions since March 2018 following a large-scale Turkish military operation dubbed “Olive Branch”.
The operation resulted in the killing and injury of thousands, and the displacement of about 300,000 of the original Kurdish inhabitants. As for those who chose to remain in their homeland and not to flee, they have been subjected to widespread human rights violations.
“We vehemently condemn the Turkish occupation of Syrian territories and the severe human rights violations perpetrated by Turkish-backed militias in north-west Syria and the Turkish air strikes on civilian infrastructure in north-east Syria, which deprive many residents of electricity and water,” the statement read.
From 12 to 15 January, Turkey targeted a total of 81 sites in Northeast Syria with 114 strikes, including 83 airstrikes by drones and warplanes on energy facilities and vital infrastructure.
The Parliament called on the European Union and all its member states to join in the condemnation of these actions and pressure Turkey diplomatically, politically, and legally to stop severe human rights violations in Afrin and other territories occupied by Turkey.
The Parliament expressed support for the victims and survivors of these serious human rights abuses, adding they are considered international crimes and can be prosecuted under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ), and their partners, along with six survivors, have submitted a criminal complaint to the German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office on Jan. 18, 2024, urging a thorough investigation into the perpetrators.
The statement pointed out that up until now, European investigations have focused on crimes committed by the ” Assad regime and Islamist groups, such as Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS.” The plight of the mainly Kurdish civilian population in northwestern Syria, however, has not been addressed.
“We strongly urge the German Federal Prosecutor in Karlsruhe to initiate a thorough investigation. We call on other member states of the European Union to join in these efforts, ensuring that all actors in the Syrian war are held accountable and that justice is served to all Syrian citizens,” the statement added.