ROJ HOZAN

Qamishlo- The Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions occupied Afrin in 2018 and Serêkanîyê and Girê Spî in 2019. Since the Turkish occupation, civilians, especially women and children, have been subjected to many rights violations. In 2022, 183 people, including 14 children and three women, were killed and 371 civilians, including 33 children and 23 women, were injured in the occupied areas. Last month, two girls were raped in Afrin by the members of Turkish-backed factions. Although there are international laws protecting children, none of the international parties and human rights organizations have fulfilled their duties to punish those who committed crimes against children. NuJINHA spoke to Cûliya Xelo, Co-chair of the Committee for Children Rights in North and East Syria, about the violations against children in the occupied areas.

‘Children are subjected to many rights violations’

Speaking about the rights violations committed in the occupied areas, Cûliya Xelo said, “The most important and difficult situation in wars and conflicts is the situation of children, because children become victims of the crimes of attackers and invaders. In the occupied areas of North and East Syria, children are subjected to murder, rape and displacement every day. Children are subjected to many rights violations. The recent rape incidents against children show that the lives and futures of children are now under great threat. Children are sexually abused in front of their mothers. There is no greater pain than this pain. In the occupied areas, children are in fear because they have no future.”

‘Taking responsibility is our duty’

Pointing out the psychological consequences of rights violations experienced by children, Cûliya Xelo said, “Some children are subjected to domestic violence while others are subjected to social violence. Children exposed to violence suffer severe psychological trauma. They always suffer from constant depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, isolation, shame and fear. Taking responsibility for children is our duty. If we do not end violence, violations against children, we will not be able to build a good future for them. As the committee, we do our duty; however, we have no opportunity to reach and protect children in the occupied areas. Protecting children from all kinds of violence and violations is the duty of the international organizations and they must take immediate action to protect these children. The only thing that we can do for the children in the occupied areas is to make violence and violations against children in the occupied areas visible all around the world. Protecting children is a global duty.”

 

No response from the UN

The committee has reported the crimes committed against children in the occupied areas to the UN many times. “However, we have received no response until now. We have demanded the UN to protect the rights of children,” said Cûliya Xelo.