Afrin IDPs call for Turkey’s accountability under Brussels Court Rulings

On February 7, the PPT issued a statement denouncing war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Turkish forces and their allied mercenaries since 2018 in NE Syria.

A Step Toward International Recognition of Kurdish Suffering

Afrin’s displaced community has welcomed the ruling as a significant step toward exposing the ongoing violations against Kurds and other ethnic communities in the region.

Ridwan Shamo, a displaced resident currently in Aleppo, described the decision as an opportunity to bring the Kurdish issue to international forums, particularly concerning the war crimes Turkey has committed since 2018.

"This ruling should serve as the foundation for serious international action to put an end to Turkey’s excessive hostility toward the region’s peoples," Shamo stated, emphasizing that Turkey’s policies threaten the existence and identity of the region’s diverse communities.

Calls for Justice and Concrete Action

Similarly, Sabir Arous, another displaced Afrin resident, criticized the lack of serious international intervention despite Turkey’s crimes being committed in plain sight. "We hope these tribunal rulings will implement and that international judicial bodies will recognize them as official legal documents to prosecute those responsible," Arous said.

He warned against reducing such rulings to symbolic gestures, insisting that the international community must take decisive steps to reject and counter these violations.

Rashid Rasho, another displaced Afrin resident, underscored the importance of complementing the tribunal’s condemnation with real legal action.

"These rulings must lead to tangible measures and be submitted to international judicial bodies to hold perpetrators accountable," Rasho stated. He also cautioned that Turkey’s continued aggressive policies toward the Kurdish people will only prolong the conflict and hinder peace efforts in the region.

These calls come as Turkey continues its military operations across NE Syria, committing severe human rights violations against civilians. Stakeholders hope that the PPT’s rulings will serve as a foundation for international action to end these crimes and bring justice to the victims.

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ANHA