PERMANENT PEOPLES’ TRIBUNAL LELIO BASSO (ITALY)

VIA DELLA DOGANA VECCHIA 5 – 00186 ROME – TEL:0039 0668801468 E-mail: ppt@permanentpeoplestribunal.org www.permanentpeoplestribunal.org

Dear Mr. G. Tognoni,

Brussels, 28 June 2024

The attacks of the Turkish state and its jihadist paramilitary groups against the peoples living in North and East Syria have been increasing since 2018.

The epic struggle of the peoples living there against the darkness of ISIS, which threatens the entire world, and the price they have paid remain vivid in the memory of us all. We also recognise and remember that thousands of ISIS members came through Turkey’s borders, growing to become a global threat. Following the struggle against ISIS, the peoples of North and East Syria came together with great determination to prevent a similar threat by building their systems of self-governance. They built an oasis of peace and democracy in the Middle East, far from conflict, where women are represented equally and freely in every field, based on principles of collective life. The weaving of a new life, as well as the struggle against ISIS, has been engraved in the collective memory of humanity as a unique development.

However, the decline of ISIS’s influence did not result in the end of threats to the peoples of North and East Syria. The Turkish state and its jihadist gangs took over this task. Afrin, the most peaceful and conflict-free area in the region, was occupied. The population was demographically transformed and turned into a base for jihadists. Reports of organisations such as the UN Special Commission of Inquiry on Syria and Human Rights Watch show the grave crimes committed. Similarly, the occupation of Serekani and Girê Spî in October 2019 led to the expansion of jihadist areas.

The Turkish state’s targeting of civilians with drones and artillery has become part of everyday life. However, since October 2023, the attacks have entered a new phase. With attacks aimed at destroying civilian life spaces, electricity and water supply centres, hospitals and medicine depots, and all infrastructure, the region was essentially targeted to be made uninhabitable. What is happening in North and East Syria is similar to what is happening in Gaza, yet not reflected in public opinion to even a fraction of the extent of publicity on Gaza. As reported by international human rights organisations, Turkey and its jihadist partners have committed and continue to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in North and East Syria.

Along with these practices, we also see that the occupied territories are directly administered by Turkish authorities; the education system, postal and banking systems are established and operated by Turkish institutions. The region is being annexed by the Turkish Republic day by day, part by part.

The impossibility of bringing about a solution to these developments within and through the Turkish legal system is obvious. There is a broad approach that criminalises everything and anything related to Rojava. Even if international institutions report some of the grave crimes, these reports do not evolve into any legal process and no legal process is initiated against those responsible. The path of law and justice is closed to the peoples of the region, especially the Kurds.

We, as human rights and legal organisations working in Europe and in North and East Syria, believe that all these problems/processes should be the subject of a new tribunal in order to put an end to the politics of impunity, to open the way to justice for the victims, and to ensure that at least what happened is condemned in conscience.

Like international organisations, we have research, reports and files on rights violations and grave crimes committed during these periods. Despite extraordinary circumstances, we have tried to document what has happened and to work towards a position to contribute towards a possible trial.

We ask you to pioneer the initiative of the North and East Syria Tribunal in order to open a space for our search for justice and to reveal the truth. We will support and be a part of this initiative with the entirety of our institutional knowledge and opportunities.

Kind regards
On Behalf of the Organisations: