Seven rights groups in Syria called upon the militia of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) to release detainees in its prisoners and to stop its repressive policies against opposing political parties and dissident activities, including most notably kidnappings and stifling free speech.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the rights groups called on the PYD to stop arbitrary detention of activists and dissidents. The statement stressed that these acts are being carried “outside the law and constitute a flagrant violation of fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in international conventions and agreements.”
The statement was signed by the National Organization for Human Rights, the Kurdish Human Rights Committee (also known as the Observer), the Arab Organization for Human Rights in Syria, the Organization for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience, the Kurdish Organization for Human Rights (DAD), the Organization for Human Rights in Syria (MAF), and the Committees for the Defense of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria (LDJ).
The signatories called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners unless they are charged with recognizably criminal offenses and to be brought to fair trials meeting UN standards and principles.”
The statement concluded by expressing full support for the Syrian people’s rights to peaceful assembly and protest as well as to express their legitimate, just demands, rights that are all guaranteed and recognized by all international conventions.
Meanwhile, the General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council (KNC) on Sunday issued a statement stressing that “the oppressive practices of the PYD militia against the Council and its affiliated parties are clear indication of its political failure at both the internal and external levels.” (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
