The Syrian Organisation for Human Rights made a press statement on the occasion of World Human Rights Day. The press statement was read by Evîn Cuma, the director of the organisation, at the 12 March Martyrs Stadium in Qamishlo.

The statement drew attention to the continued forced displacement of civilians and changing of the demographic structure over time, citing the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from Afrin-Shehba Canton, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. The statement remarked that thousands of people were exposed to the cold without food and shelter, thousands were arrested and tortured, and many people died during the journey as a result of forced displacement.

Pointing to the massacres and attacks of the occupying Turkish state and allied mercenaries against the rural areas of Manbij and Ain Issa, the statement noted that thousands of civilians lost their lives due to these attacks, which threaten a new wave of migration.

“At a time when the Syrian regime has collapsed, the acts of aggression against us are still continuing. The military attacks by the Turkish state and affiliated mercenary groups against the region continue. Despite the efforts, the threat of ISIS still persists. The future of human rights will remain in jeopardy unless all forms of occupation of Syrian territory are ended,” the statement said.

“The occupation of Syria is a war crime according to the Geneva Convention and the Rome Convention of the International Criminal Court, and crimes against humanity are being committed,” said the Syrian Organisation for Human Rights and called for the protection of civilians and the future on the occasion of Human Rights Day:

“The Security Council must decide to implement a ceasefire and halt all the attacks on Syria, and North-East Syria. Stop military actions that cause civilian displacement and rights violations and protect civilians. All practices that lead to changes in the demographic structure and disrupt internal peace and coexistence must be resolutely opposed.

Independent and international organisations, in cooperation with the UN Independent Investigation Committee, should be allowed to visit war zones to document violations, conduct a thorough investigation into the crimes committed and hold perpetrators to account.

United Nations agencies and international human rights organisations should respond to the specific situation, meet the needs of IDPs and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance for all victims.

End all occupation of Syria and guarantee the return of security.

Take urgent action to uncover all missing persons and detainees and release all detainees.

A political solution must be achieved in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254. All components of the Syrian people must participate in the solution without discrimination. The solution must be UN-sponsored.”

The crimes in North and East Syria in 2024 were listed as follows:

- 43 people were killed and 69 people were wounded in attacks by armed drones.

-38 people were killed and 87 people were injured in howitzer attacks.

-28 people were killed and 18 people were injured in the war.

53 people were killed and 20 people were wounded in explosions.