46 Organizations Demand for the Immediate Release of Syrian Detainees Held by “Syrian National Army” Factions

As images emerge of detainees being released from former Syrian regime prisons, and with the world’s attention turning to Damascus in preparation for Syria’s transition, countless families continue to endure the anguish of waiting for news about their loved ones. These detainees and forcibly disappeared individuals remain held in the prisons of the Turkish-backed “Syrian National Army” factions in Ras al-Ain/Serê Kaniyê, Afrin, and Tell Abyad/Girê Spî.

At the same time, while some internally displaced persons and refugees are shown returning to their homes, the people of Afrin and Ras al-Ain/Serê Kaniyê remain forcibly displaced. Many live just kilometers from their homes yet are unable to return due to rampant violations, persistent extortion, and the lack of any guarantees for a safe, voluntary, and dignified return.

Since the occupation of Afrin in 2018 and Ras al-Ain/Serê Kaniyê in 2019, thousands of Kurdish citizens have been subjected to arbitrary detention—an egregious violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. These detentions carried out without any legal basis, are compounded by serious abuses such as enforced disappearances, torture, unfair trials, and extortion of victims’ families. The suffering of detainees from these areas mirrors the plight of others across Syria who have been freed through collaborative local and international efforts.

Believing in the principle that justice is indivisible and that human rights must be upheld throughout Syria, we, the undersigned, call upon the de facto authorities, the factions of the “Syrian National Army” operating in Turkish-occupied territories following the “Olive Branch” (2018) and “Peace Spring” (2019) military operations, the caretaker government in Damascus, military operations management, and relevant human rights and humanitarian organizations to:

1. Ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees held by Turkish-backed “Syrian National Army” factions in Afrin, Ras al-Ain/Serê Kaniyê, and Tell Abyad/Girê Spî, while providing effective redress mechanisms for victims and their families.
2. Disclose the fate of the forcibly disappeared in the custody of the “Syrian National Army” and support their families in their pursuit of truth and justice.
3. End systematic violations perpetrated by “Syrian National Army” factions in areas under their control. These include the extortion of civilians—especially Kurds—the illegal seizure of private property such as homes and agricultural lands, and impunity for those responsible.
4. Guarantee the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of displaced persons to their original homes in Afrin, Ras al-Ain/Serê Kaniyê, and other affected areas of Syria, while restoring their rights and addressing the harm they have endured.

Justice can not be selective. The voices of the detainees, the forcibly displaced, and their families must be heard, and their rights fully upheld. We urge swift action to address these urgent injustices.

Signatory organizations in alphabetical order:

1. Accountability Advocates Organization
2. Act For Afrin
3. Adil center for human rights
4. Afrin media center
5. Afrin Platform
6. Al Raed
7. Al Zajel
8. ASO Analysis and Strategic Study Organization
9. Bader Organization for Community Development
10. Development Seeds Centre
11. Dijla Organization for Development and Environment
12. Ella Organization for Development and Peacebuilding
13. Future Makers Team
14. Hevi Organisation in Dortmund
15. Hikayet Amal
16. Hope Makers
17. Horî Organisation For Human Rights
18. Human Rights Organization in Afrin
19. Humanitarian development cooperation
20. Insight organization
21. International rescue committee
22. Jiyan foundation for human rights
23. Kobani for Relief and Development
24. Kurdisch Swiss Alliance
25. Kurdish Feminist Voices
26. Lelun association for victims
27. Local Community Empowerment (LCE)
28. Nabd Team
29. Nûdem
30. Rojava Association for Kurdish culture and literature
31. Rojava Relief and Development Organization
32. Salam Organization
33. Slav Organization for Civil Activities
34. Small dreams group
35. Smart organisation
36. Society for Threatened Peoples
37. Synergy Association for Victims
38. Syrian Center for Studies and Dialogue
39. Syrian Kurdish Journalists Netwerk
40. Syrians for Truth and Justice – STJ
41. Taa Martbouta
42. Tara Organization
43. YASA -The Kurdish center for studies and legal consultancy
44. Yasna organization
45. Yekpar
46. Zagros Human Rights Center