Signature campaign launched ahead of anniversary of Serê Kaniyê occupation 

In light of their ethical and legal responsibility toward the forcibly displaced people from Serê Kaniyê/Ras al-Ain and its countryside, and on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the occupation and the accompanying serious human rights violations, the Committee of Serê Kaniyê Displaced People launched a series of legal and community activities under the slogan: “Six Years of Forced Displacement, Safe Return Is a Legitimate Right.” The campaign began with the launch of a signature collection drive in camps in Serê Kaniyê, Washukani in the Hasakah countryside, and Newroz in the city of Derik.

The campaign was inaugurated with a speech by Abdel Razzaq Mohammed, co-chair of the Serê Kaniyê Camp Council. He pointed out that the occupation of Serê Kaniyê led to the displacement of over 200,000 civilians, injuries to hundreds, and opened the door to war crimes and human rights violations, including killings, looting, property theft, and demographic changes.

Mohammed expressed concern over attempts by the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries to purchase the property and lands of forcibly displaced Kurdish citizens, aiming to alter the culture and history of the indigenous peoples of various communities.

He called on international institutions and human rights bodies to fulfill their legal and humanitarian responsibilities, take immediate action to end the occupation, and ensure the safe return of displaced people to their land.

Following this, Mahmoud Jamil, spokesperson for the Committee of Serê Kaniyê Displaced People, delivered a speech emphasizing that the Turkish occupation has continued for six years in violations and killings in full view of the international community, particularly the United Nations.

Jamil stressed that they will not relinquish their right to a safe return to their cities occupied by the Turkish forces and their mercenaries, and that they will continue their struggle to claim their legitimate rights guaranteed by international laws and agreements.

Afterward, the displaced people of Serê Kaniyê began signing the Safe Return petition.

In this context, the administration of Newroz Camp in Derik started collecting signatures within the camp to support the displaced people of Serê Kaniyê, reaffirming their right to a safe return to their occupied city.

The campaign is scheduled to continue for two days and will conclude with a protest in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in Qamishlo in the Jazira Canton on Monday, during which the signatures will be submitted.

The campaign, organized by the camp administrations, includes all camps hosting displaced people from Serê Kaniyê in the region of North and East Syria.

These activities aim to remind both the local and international communities of their legal and moral responsibility toward the suffering of tens of thousands of displaced civilians and to emphasize that a safe and voluntary return is an inherent right that does not expire, guaranteed by international humanitarian law and international human rights conventions.

A-H 

ANHA