A new UN report details human rights violations in the Turkish-controlled areas of Syria.
The June OHCHR report was published amidst the renewal of clashes between Turkish-backed rebel factions in Afrin, which have killed an unknown number of people. Clashes recently broke out between rebels of the al-Jabha al-Shamiyya and the al-Mu’tasim groups, showing a clear example of the report’s findings that Turkish-backed regions still remain very volatile.
“In areas such as Afrin, al-Bab, Azaz, and Jarablus, the security situation remains volatile, with de facto authorities currently unable or failing to act to ensure public order and safety.”
Turkey’s role in Syria and the ongoing Kurdish-Turkish rivalry
Turkey has been in control of the 282 towns and villages in the Afrin district since the beginning of this year. It took a hold of the region in a military operation named Operation Olive Branch on 20th January 2018 against the US-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).
Prior to the Turkish takeover, the region was mostly controlled by Kurds and an estimated 324,000 were living there. The UN also estimated that as a result of the military operation, in March 2018, 167,000 people were displaced. While the Kurdish Red Crescent estimate more than 230 civilians, including 35 children, were killed and 688 wounded within 3 months of Operation Olive Branch.
The operation was a move made by Turkish groups to stop the Kurdish factions such as the YPG and the PYD (Kurdish-led Democratic Union Party) from gaining a stronghold in the region. But the Turkish-Kurdish rivalry has a much longer history than the context of the 7-year Syrian war. Turkey has been fighting against the development of an independent Kurdistan since 1978.
Turkey’s Murky Human Rights Record
Overall, Turkey has had a questionable human rights record in recent years. A state of emergency was ongoing in the year 2017-2018, and dissent remained suppressed, leaving journalists, human rights defenders and political activists at risk if they challenged the government narrative.
A case in point occurred during Operation Olive Branch when Turkey encouraged ‘patriotic journalism’ by giving media outlets a fifteen-point list to adhere to. The move was condemned by Reporters without Borders who ranked Turkey 155th out of 180 countries in their 2017 World Press Freedom Index.
OHCHR Report findings
This new report by the OHCHR nonetheless draws some concerning conclusions about Turkey’s actions in the last 6 months in Northern Syria.
“civilians now living in areas under the control of Turkish forces and affiliated armed groups continue to face hardships, which in some instances may amount to violations of international humanitarian law and violations or abuses of international human rights law.”
The new report details 6 areas of concern including: public order and safety, discrimination of ethnic Kurds from Afrin on the grounds of housing land and property, freedom of movement, deprivations of liberty, freedom of speech, and public health and hygiene.
OHCHR has received several reports of widespread looting of homes, private property, businesses, governmental and military facilities, by Turkish affiliated armed groups, calling into question the safety of civilians in Afrin.
Violence and lawlessness abound and the abduction of civilians for ransom has also been taking place in the area. At least 11 cases have been documented in which civilians, including women and children were abducted for ransoms ranging between USD 1,000 to 3,000.
Reports of attacks on freedom of speech have also been reported to OHCHR. In one incident on the 13th April, a journalist’s house was raided by fighters from the Ahrar Al-Shamal, a faction of Failaq al-Sham (Sunni rebel group). The son and nephew of the journalist were both physically assaulted, and the journalist himself was abducted for several hours. He was accused of posting a video critical of Ahrar Al-Shamal on his Facebook page. The journalist was later released after being beaten and threatened with death.
The OHCHR report states that this type of incident is one of many being used to muffle any voices of opposition to the Turkish forces or any of its affiliated groups.
In addition to concerns over public safety there is a lack of humanitarian assistance in Afrin including access to healthcare and clean water. Restrictions are being placed on those trying to leave the area to get access to medical services.
In its list of recommendations, the report calls on Turkey to ensure that all armed groups operate under international law humanitarian law, as well as ensuring all displaced persons are facilitated in returning to their homes safely. The report also highlights the urgent need to ensure that these violations are consistently reported.