Turkey must stop Human Rights violations in north west Syria

Investigations by Amnesty International and other Human Rights groups have detailed serious rights violations by troops from Türkiye and militias  supported by Türkiye in Syria. The situation is ongoing.

Residents in Afrin are enduring a wide range of violations, mostly at the hands of Syrian armed groups that have been equipped and armed by Türkiye. These violations include arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and confiscation of property and looting to which Türkiye's armed forces have turned a blind eye. Some of these groups, and Türkiyeish armed forces themselves, also have taken over schools, disrupting the education of thousands of children.

Amnesty International's Middle East Research Director said, “[Türkiye] is the occupying power in Afrin, and therefore is responsible for the welfare of the civilian population and maintaining law and order. So far, its armed forces have failed utterly in these duties. It cannot evade responsibility by using Syrian armed groups to carry out its dirty work."

Tell Türkiye they must end violations by pro-Türkiyeish armed groups, hold perpetrators accountable, and commit to helping Afrin residents rebuild their lives, including guaranteeing safe return of people forced to flee.