ROJ HOZAN

Qamishlo – Children and women are most affected by wars and conflicts. Many children have been killed in the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria. The attacks of Turkey are considered war crimes. Although children are openly killed in North and East Syria, all human rights organizations remain silent against these inhuman attacks. NuJINHA spoke to Çûliya Xelo, director of the Şilêr Center for the Protection of Children's Rights, about war crimes committed by the Turkish state in the region.

Psychological effects of Syrian war on children

Speaking about the effects of wars on children, Cûliya Xelo noted that they, as the center, aim to protect the children’s rights in North and East Syria. “Children and women are most affected by the Syrian war, which started in 2011. While all people in Syria have been affected by the war, children have been psychologically affected by the war. The enemy first creates conflicts by using dirty tactics before it carries out its attacks and then carries out massacres against the people.  The Syrian war has psychological effects on children and all children have experienced war trauma. The occupying policies of the Turkish state force children to stay away from their schools, streets and friends. The Turkish state targets children in its attacks.”

“Crimes go unpunished”

Criticizing the silence of human rights organizations against these inhumane methods against children, Cûliya Xelo said, “The children’s rights organizations are aware of the current situation in North and East Syria but they remain silent about the crimes committed against children in the region. The laws protecting children’s rights remain only on paper and they are not implemented. The crimes committed against children go unpunished.”

“We need new laws to prosecute Turkey”

Stating that the courts in North and East Syria have plans to protect children's rights, Cûliya Xelo said, “Even if we cannot protect all children from the effects of the war, we make efforts to protect them from the war and attacks. Families should support us in order to be able to protect children. We need new laws to protect children from all attacks, to prosecute Turkey for its crimes against children. We also organize activities for children to provide financial and psychological support to them.”