In a new escalation of serious violations against Syrian civilians, Turkey continues to transfer dozens of detainees arrested in the Syrian city of Manbij to prisons within its territory. These actions have raised growing concerns about the potential for enforced disappearances and trials without legal guarantees to protect their fundamental rights.
Transfer of Detainees to Turkey
According to local and human rights sources, Turkish forces and allied militias have transferred large numbers of detainees from Manbij to Turkish prisons. This move constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deportation of civilians from occupied territories to the territory of the occupying power.
Uncertain Fate and Unfair Trials
Families of the detainees express deep anxiety about the fate of their loved ones, who are denied communication with their families or access to legal support. Reports indicate that some of these detainees have faced sham trials in Turkey, resulting in life imprisonment sentences handed down by courts lacking transparency and adherence to international standards of justice.
Precedents in Afrin and Other Occupied Cities
These violations are not unprecedented. Turkey has previously transferred hundreds of detainees from Afrin and other occupied Syrian cities. For years, families have lost contact with their loved ones amid reports confirming that some were subjected to mock trials and harsh sentences, while the fate of many remains unknown.
Human Rights Condemnations
Human rights organizations, both international and local, have condemned these practices, describing them as serious human rights violations. They argue that such actions contradict international agreements prohibiting enforced disappearances and forced deportations from occupied territories. The organizations have called for an independent international investigation into these violations and accountability for those responsible.
Calls for International Intervention
Families of the detainees urge the international community and human rights organizations to intervene urgently to stop these practices and ensure the protection of detainees’ rights. They also call for pressure on Turkey to reveal the fate of the detainees and guarantee fair trials for those accused of any offenses.
Conclusion
These violations continue to shed light on the tragic situation faced by civilians in Turkish-controlled areas of Syria. With the absence of international accountability, the fate of thousands of detainees remains uncertain, exacerbating the suffering of Syrian families seeking justice and relief.
