EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo– Two years have passed since Turkey launched a military operation into NE Syria on October 9, 2019. The Turkish state has been accused of using chemical weapons against civilians in Girê Spî ve Serêkaniyê. Evidence regarding the use of chemical weapons was collected and sent to be analyzed by the Human Rights Association in the Cizre Region. The association has documented the use of the weapons.

“Despite the evidence, the world remains silent,” Human Rights Association in Cizre Region executive Evin Cuma said, “Turkish state has used chemical weapons for two years. Turkish state used white phosphorus in Afrin and Serêkaniyê. The use of chemical weapons caused great harm to both people and nature. Many people have suffered from burnings on their bodies.”

Evin Cuma reported that they have already documented Turkey’s war crime and filed a criminal complaint against the Turkish state. “The use of chemical weapons is banned by the international community but the Turkish state keeps using them by ignoring international law.”

“Why is there discrimination when it comes to Kurds?”

“The United Nations (UN) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) don’t accept any use of chemical weapons all around the world. But when the Turkish state uses chemical weapons, they remain silent. We have documents proving the use of chemical weapons by the Turkish state in Serêkaniyê. But they decided the use of chemical weapons was low. According to the convention banning the use of chemical weapons, the rate of the used chemical weapons was normal. When chemical weapons were used in Damascus, it didn’t go unpunished and reactions came all around the world against it. Why is there discrimination when it comes to Kurds?” asked Evin Cuma, adding, “Turkish state should be punished for using chemical weapons.”