The Afrin Human Rights Organization and non-governmental organizations in Shehba made a joint statement to mark September 1, World Peace Day. The statement urged the international community to stop the invading Turkish army's violations against the nature and people of Afrin.

Non-governmental organizations from the Serdem Camp in the Ehdas district of Shehba Canton were also present during the press briefing.

The statement was read out by Leyla Mehmud, a member of the Afrin Human Rights Organization.

“The United Nations (UN) declared September 1 as the International Day of Peace in 1981 to promote peace among nations and peoples and to secure all human rights,” the statement said in a reference to World Peace Day.

ALL KINDS OF WEAPONS USED FOR 8 YEARS

“We, Syrians, witness with our own eyes the effects of air pollution caused by the weapons used in the conflicts. All kinds of weapons, even banned chemical weapons, have been used in the region for more than 8 years, killing civilians, destroying the environment and infrastructure and polluting the air. Trees have been cut down and fields burned. For instance, more than 12 thousand hectares of agricultural land have been burned and more than 400 thousand trees have been cut down by the invading Turkish state and its mercenaries in the Afrin region,” the statement noted.

SUPPORT US FOR JUST PEACE

“Support us to achieve a just peace free from wars, religious, ethnic, ideological and national violence. Let's support dialogue, the rule of law and social justice. Support us so that we can promote peace and stop hostile practices and protect our dignity and lives. Help us stop external threats and interventions that cause destruction and insecurity locally and internationally,” the statement said.

The statement also raised concern over the situation of the Afrin IDPs, saying, “It is the duty of the international community to protect refugees who are among the most vulnerable populations in the world. However, we see no protection of this sort in the camps and migration zones where the Afrin IDPs are staying. Relevant authorities, whether states or organizations affiliated with the United Nations (UN), are doing nothing.”

The statement urged international organizations related to women and children, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN Refugee Agency and human rights organizations to give priority to their legal responsibilities rather than their humanitarian and moral responsibilities, improving the situation of the camps and refugees, listening to their demands to lead a decent life, putting an end to the Turkish occupation, and securing the return of the refugees to their homes.