Canadian delegation arrives in Northern and Eastern Syria

A Canadian delegation visited Northern and Eastern Syria, where it held a series of meetings with the Autonomous Administration.

A Canadian delegation including Senator Kim Butt of the Canadian Parliament, Alex Neff, assistant professor of law at the University of Ottawa and Dalhousie University, Scott Hethrengton, Canada's former ambassador to the Baltic States, and Hedid Nizami, a member of the Ontario Law Society arrived in Northern and Eastern Syria to hold a series of meetings with the Autonomous Administration.

The delegation was welcomed by the co-chairs of the Foreign Relations Department, Fener El Giêt and Robêl Beho, and the members of the Board of Directors Xalid İbrahim and Gülistan Ali.

Fener El Giêt said that the only solution to the Syrian crisis is a Syria-Syria dialogue and called on the international community to support efforts to resolve the crisis in accordance with Resolution 2254.

Regarding the prosecution of ISIS mercenaries, El Giêt called on the Canadian government and the international community to support the Autonomous Administration and establish a fair court for these mercenaries.

Kim Butt said: "I believe that the international community should support the Autonomous Administration, which is working hard to ensure justice, equality and humanity. We think that the international community as well as Canada should increase their humanitarian aid efforts."

Alex Neff of Dalhousie University said: "We take seriously the role that Canada should play as a member of the international community, in order to meet the great challenges [faced by the Autonomous Administration] and to recognize the incredible sacrifices made by the people of Northern and Eastern Syria in the fight against ISIS."

Neff continued: "There are some main areas where we believe the Canadian government can and should play a greater role. We need to make serious efforts to repatriate Canadians and other foreign nationals. For us Canadians, the most important thing is for Canada to play a role in bringing back those held in camps and detention centers."

Drawing attention to the call made by the Autonomous Administration, Neff said: "We have been listening to the calls made by the Autonomous Administration for the establishment of an international court for the trial of ISIS mercenaries for a long time, but the international community unfortunately ignores these calls. Therefore, domestic and international repatriation and trial is the best solution. We will try to ensure that Canada plays a central role in ensuring this."