Permanent Peoples' Tribunal condemns Turkey's war crimes

Before issuing its final decision, the tribunal released a statement declaring that the Turkish occupation state has systematically committed war crimes and crimes against humanity with genocidal intent. The tribunal called on the international community to take action, stating:

 "This is the first statement of the panel of judges from the 54th session of the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal, which prosecuted the Turkish state in hearings held on February 5–6, 2025, for crimes committed in North and East Syria since 2018.

 The tribunal was convened at the request of nine organizations from Rojava, and while the perpetrators of these crimes were summoned, none of them participated in the proceedings.

 First and foremost, we commend the resilience of the people of Rojava, particularly those who bravely shared their testimonies. We also extend our appreciation to the victims, witnesses, and organizations that provided the court with extensive evidence."

 Witnesses

 The two witnesses we listened to described the systematic and ongoing punishments inflicted on the people. What is their crime? In Kurdish, the concept signifies building a society based on equality, justice, and participation. Therefore, the aim of these attacks is to erase the identity, existence, and culture of the Kurds.

 In Afrin, which Turkey occupied in 2018, Kurds were forcibly displaced and driven out of their homes. As a result, the Kurdish population declined from 90% to 25%. Their homes were seized, and Sunni Arabs and Turkmen—many of whom had fled attacks by the Syrian government—were settled in their place. Their properties were looted systematically, shop signs and street names were changed to Turkish, and the local economy was forcibly transitioned to the Turkish lira. The Kurdish language was removed from the education system and replaced with Turkish. Agricultural lands and factories were confiscated, and the olive oil industry was placed under Turkish control, with olives being repackaged and sold as Turkish products.

 Many displaced people, deprived of healthcare and livelihoods, were forced to settle in overcrowded Shahba camps. Following another wave of military operations, some were displaced to Tabqa. According to witnesses, 120,000 people were forcibly displaced—40% of them children, 40% women, and the remainder elderly and impoverished. The total number of displaced persons reached 300,000.

 Some sought refuge in Tell Rifaat, but in December 2019, the Turkish military dropped two bombs on children playing in a street near a school in a fully civilian area. As a result, eight people lost their lives, and nine others, all children, were injured. One witness stated that his five-year-old son was killed and his seven-year-old son was also injured. Similar attacks occurred multiple times after the occupation of Afrin.

 Witnesses testified that political activists and rescue teams were executed, people were forcibly disappeared, and detainees were subjected to torture from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, their screams audible to others. One survivor stated, “I will feel the pain I endured in detention for the rest of my life.” Reports also emerged of women and children being kidnapped, assaulted, and schools and train stations being converted into secret prisons, where justice was absent in courts controlled by these mercenaries.

 The Presented Model

 Turkey’s attacks on Syrian territory without UN Security Council authorization constitute a crime under international law.

 Witnesses detailed various violations, including bombing, drone attacks, brutality against civilians, forced displacement, demographic change, deliberate destruction of water and energy infrastructure, environmental damage, destruction of cultural heritage and educational institutions, torture, secret detentions, and rape. These acts constitute crimes against international law and fall under crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.

 Turkey’s Justification

 Turkey claims that its operations are meant to protect itself from "terrorists in Rojava," but these claims are unfounded.

 The Autonomous Democratic Administration of North and East Syria, established in 2014, is based on democracy, justice, ethnic coexistence, gender equality, and principles of peace. Turkey seeks to dismantle this self-administration, and it has been reported that the groups Turkey supports are affiliated with ISIS.

  Current Situation in Syria

 Evidence gathered from 2013 to 2024, along with recent developments, has led to significant evaluations regarding the present and future of the Kurdish people. A critical step for the future would be for the new Syrian government to recognize the Syrian Democratic Council as an independent administration and respect the existence, culture, and autonomy of the Kurdish people.

 Role of the International Community

 The international community is aware of the suffering, hardships, and crimes committed against the Kurdish people but has taken no action. The Syrian Democratic Council is not recognized by any state, and all legal avenues, both domestic and international, remain blocked for them. The Kurdish people have been unable to seek justice. 

Therefore, the international community must recognize the Syrian Democratic Council as a democratic government, and Turkey must cease its direct and indirect attacks. If this does not happen, further massacres in Rojava will be inevitable.

a.k

ANHA