19/01/2025

Turkey faces Human Rights Watch sharp criticism over abuses in northern Syria

NEW YORK — Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a scathing report accusing Turkey of severe human rights violations in northern Syria, calling for Turkey to comply with rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

Human Rights Watch Condemns Turkish Abuses

On Thursday, HRW criticized Turkey for its failure to address grave human rights abuses committed by factions of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) in occupied territories of northern Syria.

The report, part of the HRW 2025 World Report, highlighted Turkey’s increasing regional influence but stressed that it should not overshadow concerns about its democratic backsliding at home.

Turkey’s Domestic and Regional Human Rights Record

Director of HRW for Europe and Central Asia Hugh Williamson urged international partners not to ignore Turkey’s oppressive human rights record despite President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s growing regional power, particularly following the ousting of the Assad regime in Syria.

Williamson emphasized that the Turkish government must cease politically motivated prosecutions and sham arrest warrants against critics, stop dismissing elected local officials, and adhere to binding ECtHR rulings.

Abuses in Turkish-Occupied Syrian Territories

The report detailed widespread abuses against Kurds and Arabs in Turkish-occupied regions, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, unfair military trials and forced displacement. Property seizures and land confiscation were also reported.

Call for Accountability

Human Rights Watch called for international accountability and urged Turkey’s geopolitical allies to address these violations rather than overlook them. The report emphasized that addressing these abuses is vital, given Turkey’s growing geopolitical influence in the region.