The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal on Rojava vs. Turkey

The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal on Rojava vs. Turkey will take place on February 5th and 6th 2025, at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Brussels, Belgium.

The Tribunal will address allegations of severe human rights violations and war crimes committed by the Turkish government and Turkey-backed forces in north and east Syria, also known as Rojava. These accusations include actions that may constitute crimes against humanity under international law, such as the forced displacement of populations, the use of banned weapons, targeted assassinations, torture, and the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage.

The Tribunal’s proceedings will provide access to first-hand testimonies, expert analyses, and a wealth of evidence regarding the situation in Rojava. Coverage of these proceedings will serve as a crucial tool for raising awareness, promoting accountability, and amplifying the voices of victims.

Some of the key issues to be addressed during the tribunal include:

Forced Displacement of Populations: Testimonies will highlight cases of forced displacement, particularly in Afrin and Ras al-Ayn, where Kurdish residents have been driven from their homes in violation of international humanitarian law.

Use of Banned Weapons and Targeting of Civilians: Evidence will be presented regarding the alleged use of banned weapons, such as white phosphorus, against civilian populations and infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.

Targeted Assassinations and Civilian Massacres: Cases such as the assassination of Hevrin Khalaf, a prominent advocate for peace, and the massacre at Taqal Baqal will be addressed, shedding light on violent acts against non-combatants.

Manipulation of Essential Resources — the Alouk Water Station: Reports on the deliberate disruption of the Alouk water station – which provides water to over one million people – will be presented, highlighting the impact on public health and humanitarian conditions.

Destruction of Cultural Heritage and Religious Sites: The systematic destruction and looting of cultural sites, including sacred Yazidi shrines, will be documented as violations of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property.

Torture and Unlawful Detention: The Tribunal will showcase reports of torture and arbitrary detention, including the emblematic case of Nadiya Sulaiman, as part of a broader strategy to repress the cultural and ethnic identity of the population.

These issues highlight the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for media coverage to ensure that the international community remains informed and engaged.

The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal on Rojava vs. Turkey is a vital opportunity for the media to play a central role in amplifying the voices of victims, promoting justice, and holding those responsible for human rights violations to account.

The invitation for media participation at the Tribunal is issued by Midya Abdah, Centre for Research and Protection of Women’s Rights in Europe; Haike Geisweid, Association for Democracy and International Law (MAF-DAD); and Ceren Uysal, European Association of Lawyers for Democracy & World Human Rights (ELDH).

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rojava_cities.png Rojava cities. Author: WikiEditor2004, licensed under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.