bhzad janOn September11, the latest report of the International Committee of Inquiry, documented the inhumane violations and practices of Turkish State against people of Afrin which is occupied for nearly eighteen months.This occupation amounts to war crimes.
The report mentions abuses by the so-called “Syrian National Army” loyal to Turkish state as kidnapping, torture, extortion and systematic assassinations against people of Afrin.
The 21-page report describes the humanitarian scene in Syria, particularly Turkish violations in Afrin region, for which more than one paragraph is devoted.
The report adds that the chaotic circumstances and absence of rule of law by Turkish occupation to Afrin region have unleashed the hands of armed groups (mercenaries of Turkish state) to commit atrocities against civilians.
The report documents abductions and extortion. In paragraph 57, the report states that the Committee documented on May13th, abduction of two men and a child with intellectual disabilities by armed groups (mercenaries) as they traveled from Afrin to Azaz, where their bodies were later found after demanding large sums of money for releasing them.
The report is based on testimonies from local population. The report states: ” that civilians returning to Afrin were denied access to their property and were seized by members of pro-Turkish groups. Others had to pay up to several thousand dollars to get their stolen goods and vehicles.”
As for the restriction by Turkish state and its mercenaries against people of Afrin, the report states that the farmers were forced to pay taxes in order to cultivate their lands, as well as the olive farmers waived a certain percentage of their harvest as taxes.
The report says that the violations also affected the historical and archaeological monuments, which have been looted and robbed and the report here shows the ruins of Tel Janderis.
The report notes that women have been harassed and imposed strict laws such as restrictions on freedom of movement and imposition of certain clothes under the rule of factions that adopt extremist ideas with support from Turkish state.
The report indicates in paragraph 77 that the situation of gender equality is almost non-existent and vulnerability of women and girls to exploitation and abuse.
The report shows that Turkish state has changed the administrative and executive structures as well as replacing officials and administrators who are residents of the region with others from outside it in reference to systematic Turkification operations in Afrin region.
Prepared by
Media Office of the Syrian Democratic Council
September 11, 2019
MSD
