In a statement published on Saturday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria points to the inhuman crimes committed by the occupation regime in Afrin and says: "The international public remains silent on the crimes of the Turkish state, which uses refugees as a means of pressure. The militias controlled by the Turkish state are breaking international law and violating human values. This happens openly and in front of everyone."

The statement points out that crimes against women in particular have risen sharply: "Most recently, the actions of the Turkish-backed Fırqat al-Hamza militia against eight imprisoned women in Afrin demonstrated the brutality of the Turkish state. In Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî, women are kidnapped to extort ransom money."

International institutions must intervene

The autonomous administration calls on human rights organisations, UN agencies, the US and Russia to fulfil their responsibilities, saying: "The actions of the Turkish-backed jihadist militia Firqat al-Hamza must be investigated at international level. The whole world has witnessed how the women from Afrin have resisted ISIS mercenaries and the Turkish state. All institutions working for women's rights must stop the violation of women's rights."

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