As attacks by Turkey and Turkish affiliated armed groups under the control of Turkey (“an occupying power”, as described by Human Rights Watch) continue in North and Eastern Syria despite Russia being the guarantor of the cease-fire in the region, human rights activists continue to voice their concerns regarding the situation in the region.
Several lawyers have stated that what has happened and is happening in the region is in violation of various international laws. Xalid Cibir, Co-Chair and lawyer of the Child Rights Protection Office spoke to ANHA News about the ongoing violations of rights. Cibir stated that Russia’s silence has emboldened Turkey in its aggressive actions.
‘Turkey violates the Hague, Rome and Geneva agreements’
Xalid Cibir noted, with regard to the rules of war which were determined in the Hague Agreement signed in 1907: “According to the agreement, the occupied lands are considered as the territories of the occupying state but the international laws define the forced evacuation of occupied territories or the forced displacement of the people who live there as a war crime”.
“Turkey violates all of them: it is trying to change the demographic structure in the region and also, according to articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Rome Agreement, it is a crime to displace people by force and according to the 53rd article of the Geneva Agreement, the occupying states cannot seize the properties of the people of the occupied region”, he added.
Xalid Cibir drew attention to various human rights organisations’ reports that confirmed that these types of violations by Turkey and Turkish affiliated armed groups have taken place and are taking place in the region. Cibir stated: “Turkey does not follow any of these agreements. It continues to attack Ayn Issa and Tall Tamir each day. Turkey and its mercenaries are destroying people’s homes there. Turkey violates the Hague, Rome and Geneva agreements”. Xalid Cibir appealed to the international courts to charge Turkey for the war crimes it has committed. “Turkey should be tried at the International Court. This should be done to ensure justice”.
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