News Center- 12 bar associations, including the bar associations in Van and Amed (Diyarbakır) have issued a joint statement on the ongoing Turkish attacks on the Tishreen Dam.

‘The airstrike is a violation of international law’

Five civilians were killed in a Turkish airstrike on the Tishreen Dam on Saturday. Renowned Kurdish comedian Juma Khalil, also known as Bavê Teyar, was seriously injured in the strike; however, he died on Sunday of injuries he sustained.

“The airstrike targeting civilians is a violation of international law,” the statement said. “The clashes in North and East Syria have intensified while life has slowly returned to normal in other parts of Syria. In the last airstrike on the Tishreen Dam killed six civilians, including Kurdish comedian Juma Khalil Ibrahim, and injured 15 others. This strike targeting civilians is a clear violation of international law. Protecting civilians during armed conflict is therefore a cornerstone of international humanitarian law.”

Call to take action

 In the statement, the bar associations called on the international community and human rights organizations to take urgent action “to protect civilians” in North and East Syria.

Signatories:

Semsûr (Adıyaman) Bar Association

Semsûr (Adıyaman) Bar Association

Êlih (Batman) Bar Association

Amed (Diyarbakır) Bar Association

Îdir (Iğdır) Bar Association

Colemêrg (Hakkari) Bar Association

Mêrdîn (Mardin) Bar Association

Mûş (Muş) Bar Association

Sêrt (Siirt) Bar Association

Riha (Urfa) Bar Association

Şirnex (Şırnak) Bar Association

Wan (Van) Bar Association