We note that the periodic report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Syria for January-June 2020 established that the Syrian regime and the so-called “Syrian Democratic Forces” which is affiliated with the PKK/YPG terrorist organization committed human rights violations amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes against civilians.

It is important that the linkage between PKK’s Syrian offshoot YPG and the so-called “Syrian Democratic Forces” has been once again clearly demonstrated in this latest report of the CoI. However, failure to name PKK/PYD as the perpetrator of the terror attacks against civilians across northern Syria, which is known to everybody, is a major shortcoming.

On the other hand, we categorically reject both the baseless allegations of human rights violations claimed against the Syrian opposition, which operate on the ground to combat terrorism and ensure the return of Syrian refugees, and concerning our country in relation to them, as well as the groundless criticisms by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) leveled against Turkey on the basis of the said allegations.

It is utterly unacceptable that the OHCHR’s press release fails to mention the Syrian regime and the PKK/YPG terrorist organization which are the true culprits for the violations reported by the CoI. We strongly condemn this approach.

Our views and objections regarding the report will be transmitted to the UN in the strongest terms.