Invitation to Participate in the Permanent People’s Tribunal Session on Rojava Against
Turkey – February 5–6, 2025
Dear ,
Since the onset of the war in Syria, the northeast region of the country, including Rojava, has stood out for its inclusive, democratic, and egalitarian societal model. This unique initiative has successfully brought together Kurdish, Arab, Yazidi, Christian, and other minority communities in a spirit of peaceful coexistence. The model is based on principles of autonomy, women’s rights, cultural diversity, and social justice.
However, since 2018, this region has faced relentless attacks by armed groups supported by the Turkish state. These military operations and atrocities have deeply disrupted the social, political, and humanitarian equilibrium in Rojava. As a result, serious human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law have occurred. Context of the Violations
The acts to be examined during this tribunal, organized in Brussels on February 5–6, 2025,
include:
• Forced displacement: Thousands of civilians have been uprooted from their homes in areas like Afrin and Ras al-Ayn, in blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions.
• Use of prohibited weapons: Deployment of white phosphorus against civilian populations, targeting schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure.
• Targeted assassinations and massacres: Figures like Havrin Khalaf, committed to peace and stability, have been silenced in actions aimed at stifling voices advocating sustainable solutions.
• Manipulation of vital resources: Destruction or control of water supply systems, such as the Alouk water station, has deprived over a million people of access to clean water.
• Cultural and religious destruction: Yazidi sanctuaries and other heritage sites have been targeted to erase the identity of these populations.
• Torture and arbitrary detention: Civilians have been subjected to cruel treatment as part of a campaign to undermine their cultural identity and resilience.
These acts, which constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law, demand urgent attention and thorough scrutiny by the international community.
Participating in the Permanent People’s Tribunal Session on Rojava Against Turkey The preparation of this peoples’ tribunal is actively supported by the Committee for Justice and Law and the Department of Foreign Relations of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), the Research and Protection Centre for Women’s Rights, and the Human Rights Organizations in Al-Jazira and Afrin, as well as MAF-DAD e.V (Association for Democracy and International Law), ELDH (European Association of Lawyers for Democracy & World Human Rights), IADL, Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), the Kurdish Institute of Brussels and the Free University of Brussels (VUB).
Together with these bodies, numerous other organizations dedicated to documentation and advocacy within the region have contributed to assembling the necessary evidence and resources to support the tribunal’s objectives.
We would be deeply honored by your presence at this crucial initiative for justice and human rights. If you wish to participate, we kindly ask you to inform us by January 15, 2025 through this e-mail address: info@rojavapeoplestribunal.org
We thank you for your commitment and support in this pursuit of justice for the people of Rojava.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Awaiting your confirmation, please accept, [Sir/Madam], the expression of our highest regards.
Respectfully,
Midya Abdah, Center for Research and Protection of Woman’s Rights in Europe
Heike Geisweid, Association for Democracy and International Law (MAF-DAD)
Ceren Uysal, European Association of Lawyers for Democracy & World Human Rights (ELDH)
Contact Tel : +31686453055
E-mail address : info@rojavapeoplestribunal.org
For more info: https://rojavapeoplestribunal.org/