NORŞÎN ABDİ

Kobanê- On June 10, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced in a written statement that it would establish a tribunal to prosecute more than 10,000 foreign ISIS members from 60 countries according to regional and international laws. The decision was a response of the AANES to the countries, which refused to repatriate their citizens and establish an international tribunal in order to prosecute ISIS members. Viyan Eyüb, Co-chair of the Lawyers’ Union of the Euphrates Region, says the decision of the AANES on the prosecution of foreign ISIS members is a positive step for the whole world.

 ‘They committed crimes against humanity’

“The whole world witnessed the crimes committed by ISIS in North and East Syria, Iraq and Shengal (Sinjar) and is aware of the threat posed by ISIS. ISIS members committed crimes against humanity and a genocide (against the Yazidi community). ISIS members carried our massacres in North and East Syria and killed those who refused their ideology and commands. Most of the mercenaries were from other countries,” said Viyan Eyüb. “Before the AANES announced its decision on the prosecution of foreign ISIS members, it tried to make contact with the International Coalition and European countries to hand over arrested ISIS members and to hold ISIS members accountable for their crimes. Since the AANES received no response from these countries, it decided to prosecute foreign ISIS members.”

‘The court proceedings will be open to the public’

Viyan Eyüb told NuJINHA that the court proceedings of foreign ISIS members would be open to the public and the press and transparent. Giving information about the ongoing preparation for the legal proceedings, she said, “After the decision was announced, the AANES began preparation for the legal proceedings. Lawyers will be appointed to represent ISIS members. The prosecution process will be held in the presence of the prosecutors. The wives and children of ISIS members being held in al-Hol camp will not be prosecuted for now. But investigations will be launched to understand if they committed any crimes.”

Viyan Eyüb added that the prosecution of ISIS members was very important for the people of North and East Syria. “The prosecution of ISIS members is a very important step to eliminate the terrorist threat of ISIS. There are still ISIS sleeper cells. All countries should make more efforts to eliminate ISIS and protect the people in the region from this threat.”