{"id":4275,"date":"2024-07-23T00:14:47","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T22:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hevdesti.org\/?p=4275"},"modified":"2024-07-23T00:22:57","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T22:22:57","slug":"unheard-cries-arbitrary-arrest-and-torture-in-the-safe-zones-of-northern-syria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hevdesti.org\/en\/unheard-cries-arbitrary-arrest-and-torture-in-the-safe-zones-of-northern-syria\/","title":{"rendered":"Unheard Cries: the Reality of Arbitrary Arrest and Torture in the \u201cSafe Zones\u201d of Northern Syria"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction: <\/strong><\/h4>\n

The al-Sultan Family, who hails from the west countryside of Tall Tamer<\/a> Town, endured a horrific tragedy as members of the opposition Syrian National Army (SNA) executed one of their sons in plain view of his mother on the eve of Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice). The mother was detained, and one of the victim\u2019s uncles was arrested and tortured for demanding the recovery of the body.<\/p>\n

According to the testimonies collected by Synergy, the victim Abd al-Sultan, 39, was driving his mother to visit a relative when a patrol of the SNA forces intercepted them on the M4 Highway. The SNA members attempted to confiscate Abd al-Sutlan\u2019s vehicle, but he objected. After a brief argument, the members shot him dead in front of his mother and then took his body and his mother to the Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea Hospital<\/a>. His mother was later released but was not permitted to bury her son.<\/p>\n

Three days later, Salih al-Sultan, the victim\u2019s uncle, arrived in Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea<\/a> to demand the body. However, five members of the Military Police forces beat him severely and arrested him on charges of dealing with the Autonomous Administration. He was denied medical treatment and the right to retain an attorney.<\/p>\n

20 days passed before tribal dignitaries could reach an agreement with leaders of the SNA-affiliated Military Police and the Civil Police, allowing for handing over Abd al-Sutlan\u2019s body to his family for a decent burial in return that the story was to be kept confidential. The uncle was released after paying a ransom of 6,500 USD.<\/p>\n

The story of al-Sultan Family exemplifies the ongoing violations that the local people experience at the hands of the SNA forces in areas of Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea, Tall Abyad\/Gir\u00ea Sp\u00ee, and Afrin, where Turkey claims are \u201cSafe Zones\u201d for the Syrian refugees to return to, despite repeated confirmations from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (COI) that these areas remain unsafe. Human Rights Watch<\/a> has (HRW) also confirmed that these zones have historically been unsafe<\/a>, and that they are demonstrably among the most dangerous places in the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n

During the first half of 2024, Synergy documented the arrest of 338 persons (including eight children and 21 women, two of whom are women of special needs) by the SNA\u2019s factions in areas of Afrin, Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea, and Tall Abyad. Turkish forces were also involved in committing at least 40 of these arrests.<\/p>\n

231 victims, among them a man and two women with special needs, whom Synergy have documented their arrest stories remain forcibly disappeared in the SNA-run prisons in Afrin, Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea, and Tall Abyad\/Gir\u00ea Sp\u00ee. Meanwhile, 107 persons were released; the majority of them survived after their families were compelled to pay financial ransoms to leaders and members of the SNA. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These violations reflect the ongoing state of insecurity and instability in the Turkish-occupied areas in northern Syria and the absence of justice and accountability. The lack of effective remedy mechanisms for the victims means that the perpetrators and violators remain beyond accountability, thus encouraging the commission of these violations, in light of the judicial system\u2019s inability or unwillingness in those areas to address these transgressions fairly and effectively.<\/p>\n

The SNA conducted no investigations in its forces\u2019 practices, which continue to arrest civilians ensuing them forcibly disappeared persons and violating their rights, nor did the Turkish government that has effective command and control on these forces to change their arbitrary conduct. On the contrary, it appears, in some cases, that the Turkish government was involved as a partner in committing such violations.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Therefore, the Turkish military commanders are held criminally responsible for violations committed by the SNA factions in instances where the Turkish leaders knew or should have known about such crimes or failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures to prevent their commission.<\/p>\n

As an occupying power, the Turkish authorities must ensure that their own officials and those under their command in the SNA do not arbitrarily detain or mistreat anyone. The Turkish authorities are also obliged to investigate alleged violations and ensure that those responsible are appropriately punished.<\/p>\n

Overall, the reiteration of these incidents reflects the existence of a suppressive environment that does not encourage a voluntary and safe return of the internally displaced persons or enforced migrants to their Turkish-occupied territories, resulting in constant displacement and social instability in the region.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Escalation of Arrests in the Turkish-Occupied Territories: <\/strong><\/h4>\n

During the first half of 2024, Synergy Association documented the arrest of at least 203 persons (including 13 women and eight children) in Afrin Region and its surrounding towns. Out of them, only 33 arrestees were released while the fate of 170 is still unaccounted for. On the other hand, in Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea and Tall Abyad\/Gir\u00ea Sp\u00ee and their countryside, Synergy documented the arrest of 135 persons, including eight women. Of these, 74 arrestees were released while the fate of 61 others remains undisclosed.<\/p>\n

Comparing the first half of 2023 to the first half of 2024, it can be noted that arbitrary arrests in areas of Afrin, Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea, and Tall Abyad\/Gir\u00ea Sp\u00ee have almost doubled. The arrests rose from 182 cases in the first half of 2023 to 338 cases during the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The perpetuation and escalation of arbitrary arrests in the SNA-held areas, with the support of Turkish forces, further complicates the security situation and deepens suffering of the local people, specifically the returnees.<\/p>\n

According to Synergy’s analysis of documented information on arbitrary arrests in Afrin, Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea and Tall Abyad, forces of the Military Police were involved in 146 arrest cases, followed by the Sultan Murad Brigade with 67 arrests and forces of the Civil Police with 64 arrests. Furthermore, the Turkish intelligence carried out 40 arrests. Other factions within the SNA, such as al-Hamzat Division, Sultan Suleiman Shah (al-Amshat), Ahrar al-Sharqiya\/Gathering of Free Men of the East, were also implicated in other arrest incidents. Moreover, it has been confirmed that at least six detainees were transferred to Turkey.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Synergy Association relied in its documentation process on the information collected in its database provided by a network of field researchers, and on information and details provided by the detainees\u2019 families and eyewitnesses. Furthermore, it verified the information through publicly available sources (open sources).<\/p>\n

Synergy Association notes that violations committed by Turkey and the SNA-affiliated factions in Afrin, Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea and Tall Abyad regions are far more than what have been documented and verified by name, surname, date and place of arrest. As the Association believes that the actual number of arrest cases is significantly higher than the figure presented in this report.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Detention as a Recurring Pattern and a Widespread Systematic Practice: <\/strong><\/h4>\n

The motives behind the majority of detention and deprivation of liberty operations in areas of Afrin, Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea and Tall Abyad\/Gir\u00ea Sp\u00ee were to extort the victims and their families to get financial ransoms or for intimidation purposes to push them to leave the area. Some civilians, including a man and two women with special needs, were arrested by Sultan Suleiman Shah (al-Amshat) for demanding the return of their properties. They are still in custody.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Synergy documented cases of arresting some asylum seekers, who endured torture and cruel treatment by the Turkish Border Guards (Gendarmerie) before being handed over to forces of the Military Police in the SNA. The fate of 36 arrestees, among the 145 asylum seekers documented by Synergy as arrested throughout the reporting period, remains unaccounted for.<\/p>\n

Synergy has also documented four cases, where relatives of the detainees were forced each to pay 2,900 USD for their release, whereas in one instance, an asylum seeker\u2019s personal belongings in addition to 1,500 USD were looted. In the case of handing over the body of Abd al-Sultan to his family and the release of his uncle, Salih al-Sultan, an amount of 6,500 USD was paid to the Military Police and the Civil Police. There were other four documented cases, in which families of the detainees were asked to pay each 30,000 USD, and due to their inability to pay, the detainees remain arrested and forcibly disappeared.<\/p>\n

Within the context of these arrests, it is important to note that the Turkish intelligence oversees, or at least has extensive knowledge of the process of arrest and enforced disappearance, as well as the types of torture accompanying them. \u201cOngoing abuses including torture and enforced disappearances of those who live under Turkish authority in northern Syria will continue unless Turkey itself takes responsibility and acts to stop them,\u201d said<\/a> Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch (HRW). HRW\u2019s report<\/a>, \u201cEverything is by the Power of the Weapon\u201d, confirms that \u201cthe Turkish Army and the Turkish intelligence agencies are involved in implementing and supervising the violations.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to an intelligence briefing<\/a> published in December 2022, by New Lines Institute, \u201cthe Turkish military and intelligence officers heading these centers [Afrin and Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea] coordinate the distribution of ongoing military responsibilities, make all decisions, and inform the Syrian commanders [SNA commanders], who then carry out the orders.\u201d Synergy documented no less than 22 arrests carried out by Turkish intelligence forces since early 2024.<\/p>\n

The continuing, recurrence, and escalation of arbitrary arrests in these territories affirms that these practices are not isolated or random incidents, rather, they are part of a widespread systematic pattern. These ongoing violations clearly refers to a suppressive systematic policy, aiming to intimidate the locals, particularly the Kurds, and forcing them to leave their original places of residence, or reluctantly accepting financial extortion in exchange for their freedom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Torture and Ill-Treatment: <\/strong><\/h4>\n

A military source within the SNA informed Synergy that they witnessed the arrest of approximately 50 people at the hands of Sultan Murad Brigade, as they attempted to enter Ras al-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea with intentions to cross into Turkish territory. 44 persons from the group were released after they altogether paid 13,200 USD to the Brigade, while the remaining six were kept in custody, accused of dealing with the Autonomous Administration\/the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). According to the witness, interrogation with the detainees was accompanied by various forms of torture, including beating, kicking, punching, and beating with cables, in addition to psychological harm, such as verbal abuse and humiliation.<\/p>\n

Apparently, dealing with the Autonomous Administration\/the SDF remains the most common accusation pointed against the detainees in the Turkish-occupied territories. The witness confirmed that two, out of the six detainees, are Arabs from Syria, not from the SDF-held areas. He added that the six were attempting, along with the others, to cross to Turkey illegally, aiming to travel onwards to Europe.<\/p>\n

Documented patterns of torture and ill-treatment committed by the opposition SNA reflect the methods the Syrian government implements in its different security branches. The interviewees detailed different forms of torture they endured or witnessed while they were in prison. The detainees were beaten with sticks, hosepipes and electricity cables, in addition to slapping, kicking and punching.<\/p>\n

Several victims were subjected to Blanco (shabah) and Farouja (chicken) methods of torture, and had cigarettes extinguished on their bodies. While others were suspended from the ceiling and beaten by the butts of guns and electrocuted. Other patterns of torture included drowning, breaking fingers, making wounds using sharp objects, and being dragged behind a military vehicle.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

Physical torture was accompanied by psychological harm as well. The majority of the victims were subjected to humiliation, while some were compelled to witness other individuals being tortured more severely and were threatened with the same punishment if they did not cooperate and confess the information needed. Many victims were threatened with death, and firearms were pointed towards the heads of some. Several ended up agreeing to sign confessions they never made.<\/p>\n

\n

It should be noted that Turkish officials were present regularly in SNA-run detention facilities. Former detainees stated that Turkish officials were also present during interrogation sessions, in which torture was used, indicating that the Turkish Army and Turkish intelligence agencies are involved in implementing and supervising these violations.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A joint report published by Synergy Association for Victims on June 26, 2024, titled \u201cIn the Absence of Accountability: Torture as a Systematic Policy in Northern Syria<\/a>\u201d, documented that torture and ill-treatment by the SNA-affiliated factions amount to be part of a widespread systematic pattern, aiming at intimidating the locals, especially the Kurds, and pushing them to leave their original places of residence, or continuously submit to financial extortion. The report was based on the analysis of 65 interviews with victims, survivors and their families in areas of Afrin, Ras la-Ayn\/Ser\u00ea Kaniy\u00ea and Tall Abyad.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inhuman Detention Conditions:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Turkish-backed SNA did not adhere to any minimum standards that should be applied to individuals detained by its forces. All of the interviewees reported being held in overcrowded places or solitary confinement cells for prolonged periods without any justifications. Inhumane detention conditions were imposed on all the victims, in which the perpetrators aimed to either increase pressure on the victims to extract confessions, information, and ransoms from the family, or without any specific purpose, just to cause more suffering to the victims.<\/p>\n

The majority of the victims underwent the same experience of sleep deprivation, exposure to freezing temperatures, deprivation from any means of warmth, including blankets. Nor did any victim stated that they had access to adequate nutrition or clean drinking water. Furthermore, all the victims were subjected to insults, expressions and conducts that touch their honor according to the prevailing social norms.<\/p>\n

Detention has multi-faceted impacts on men, women and children including both physical and mental harm. The majority of the former detainees described suffering from<\/strong> chronic physical pain resulting from torture they sustained, let alone suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, constant fear, anxiety, isolation, compounded by recurring nightmares that exacerbate their trauma.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Legal Framework:<\/strong><\/h4>\n