Jurist calls for taking decisive positions to convey IDPs' voice to international forums

Jurist Ala'a al-Din al-Khaled Kalo highlighted the crimes committed by the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries in the occupied Syrian regions, along with their violations of international laws. He also emphasized the role of human rights activists and the public in putting an end to crimes against their regions.

Kalo began his speech by pointing out that the current Turkish state, led by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) under Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is essentially an extension of the Ottoman Turanian state. This state consistently boasts about restoring the glories of the Ottoman Caliphate through the “Red Book.

The Red Book, known as the secret constitution, was issued after the founding of the Turkish Republic. It was prepared as a political document for the National Security Council, and the decisions made in this council are implemented by the Parliament and the government. The book also aims to revive the Ottoman Empire and has undergone 7 revisions so far.

Kalo explained, “The book asserts that any place where the Ottomans (Al-Asmali) set foot is considered Turkish territory. He continued, If we delve into history, we'll find that the Turks have no historical presence in this region. Instead, they established their state through bloodshed and extermination; their objective was to eradicate the indigenous population, particularly the Kurdish people, who have deep roots and a significant history in this region.

The jurist pointed out that the occupation of Afrin was part of the implementation of the Mîsâk-ı Millî, and explained: The statements of Turkish officials are conclusive evidence that the demographic and environmental changes in the region are part of their plan to displace the indigenous population and change the features of the region, in preparation for seizing those lands and annexing them to Turkish lands as a permanent occupation.

Kalo stressed that building settlements in the occupied city of Afrin is a war crime, and explained that the systematic displacement of Syrians in the areas occupied by the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries, under the threat of death and the use of excessive military force to intimidate, is rejected in all protocols established for rules of engagement or declared wars and others.

Kalo emphasized the necessity for jurists to collectively oppose the policies of denial, extermination, and occupation. This involves adhering to their legal, humanitarian, and moral duty by continuously documenting violations and crimes and forwarding this information to relevant authorities to amplify the voices of the displaced in international forums.

He further elaborated on Turkey's concrete intentions to assimilate Afrin into Turkish provinces by altering its demographics through promoting the Turkish language and the Turkish currency, enforcing Turkish laws, and integrating the region with Turkey across various sectors such as education, healthcare, and services. These actions also involve renaming original villages and other related measures.

Regarding the role of the people in supporting human rights defenders, he noted that they should take to the streets, especially in Europe, in front of the decision-making centers of international and intergovernmental organizations and United Nations offices, to raise this issue again and demand their legitimate rights in order to increase diplomatic pressure on everyone who stands in the way of the people's will and supports Turkey.

T/ Satt.

ANHA