Joint Report: Kurdish Committee for Human Rights-observer & Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ)
About the two organizations:
- The Kurdish Committee for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Syria,
Is a civilian independent voluntary association striving to disseminate the culture of human rights and to document violations against them. Thus, the organization works to enhance the political and legal struggle to demand human rights through peaceful means, in accordance with international standards, which based on an intellectual reference consists of all international instruments and conventions from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ)
Syrians for Truth and Justice was conceived during the participation of its co-founder in the Middle-East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Leaders for Democracy Fellowship program, who was driven by a will to contribute to Syria’s future. Starting as a humble project to tell the stories of Syrians experiencing enforced disappearances and torture, it grew into an established organisation committed to unveiling human rights violations of all sorts.
Convinced that the diversity that has historically defined Syria is a wealth, our team of researchers and volunteers works with dedication at uncovering human rights violations committed in Syria, in order to promote inclusiveness and ensure that all Syrians are represented, and their rights fulfilled.
Background
On 9 October 2019, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the launch of a military operation by the Turkish Army and allied Syrian opposition groups – of the National Army –into northern Syria,[1] naming it Operation Peace Spring, and calling the Turkish forces participated the “Mohammadi Army”.[2]
Just a day before the Operation, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces released a statement supporting the Turkish announcement of a looming military operation in the region. The statement said “The Coalition supports the efforts of the National Army, the Ministry of Defense and those of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We confirm the readiness of our National Army to combat terrorism in cooperation and joint action with brothers in Turkey.”[3]
The Minister of Defense, Salim Idris, announced on 7 October, that the National Army had completed the necessary training for the upcoming military operation in northeastern Syria.[4] This was preceded by other military arrangements, as the National Army and the National Front for Liberation announced their full integration on 5 October 2019.[5]
STJ issued a press release calling for the investigation of breaches to international law and ensuing state and individual responsibility for Turkey’s occupation of Syria;[6] the offensive displaced some 200.000 people, including 80.000 children in its first days.
The Turkish attack involved serious abuses of human rights, which were documented and reported by local Syrian human rights organizations, the UNCommission Of Inquiry (CoI) and international organizations, including Amnesty International. The latter published a report
[1] Erdogan’s full tweet,” The Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Syrian National Army, just launched Operation Peace Spring against PKK/YPG and Daesh terrorists in northern Syria. Our mission is to prevent the creation of a terror corridor across our southern border, and to bring peace to the area.”, Erdogan’s Twitter account, , 9 October 2019 (last visit: 15 May 2020), https://twitter.com/rterdogan/status/1181921311846735872
[2] Erdogan’s full tweet, “I kiss all members of the Mohammadi Army, involved in the process of peace spring from their foreheads, and I wish success to them and all the local supportive elements that stand side by side with Turkey in this process, God bless you and was in your help”, Erdogan’s Twitter account, 9 October 2019 (last visit: 15 May 2020) https://twitter.com/rterdogan_ar/status/1181927322271830016?s=20
Please to read the report, click on the link
Illegal transfer of Dozens of Syrian detainees into Turkey following Operation Peace Spring
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[3] “Syrian Coalition Reaffirms Commitment to Fighting Terrorism & Liberating Syria from Tyranny &
Terrorist Orgs”, a press release by the Syrian National Coalition – Syria Department of Media & Communications, 8 October 2019, (last visit: 22 October 2019) http://en.etilaf.org/press/syrian-coalition-reaffirms-commitment-to-fighting-terrorism-liberating-syria-from-tyranny-terrorist-orgs.html
[4] “National Army completes preparations for military operation east of Euphrates”, Yeni Şafak, 7 October 2019, (last visit: 15 May 2020) https://www.yenisafak.com/ar/news/3438458.
[5] “Merging the “National Army” with “The Front”: A Syrian Step Against Who?”, The New Arab, 5 October 2019. (Last visit 22 October 2019), https://www.alaraby.co.uk/politics/2019/10/4/%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D9%80-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%86-1
[6] “Statement regarding the Peace Spring Operation by Turkey in Northeast Syria”, STJ, 19 October 2019, (last visit: 5 November 2019), https://stj-sy.org/en/statement-regarding-the-peace-spring-operation-by-turkey-in-northeast-syria/
