SYRIA: 42 human rights organizations call on U.S. to impose sanctions on Turkey and its proxies

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — In a public statement, 42 human rights organizations called on the U.S. impose sanctions on Turkish-backed groups in northern Syria and reformulate the ceasefire agreement signed with Turkey.

The organizations’ statement referenced the 25-page report released on 22 September by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria which called on Turkey to put an end to wide-spread war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed by its proxy forces, the Syrian National Army (SNA), in the areas under its occupation.

According to the report, there is significant evidence that the Turkish-backed SNA has committed, and continue to commit torture, murder, displacement, rape, and the looting of property.

The statement also cited the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights confirmation that Turkey bears responsibility for human rights violations committed in the Syrian areas it occupies.

The organizations’ statement concluded with five requests of the U.S.:

1. 1. Conduct an impartial fact-finding mission in the areas under the Turkish occupation.
   2. Impose sanctions on groups and individuals found guilty of human rights violations in Turkish-occupied areas.
   3. Immediately cease all weapons transfer operations and security assistance to all individuals and security units involved in committing human rights violations in the occupied territory.
   4. Provide support to victims of human rights violations in the Turkish-occupied areas.
   5. Reformulating the ceasefire agreement signed with Turkey.