To Antonio Guterres,
Secretary General of the United Nations (UN)
21 January 2026
The Human Rights Association (IHD) is a human rights organisation that was founded in Turkey in 1986. It currently has 26 branches and 11 representation offices throughout the country. Reporting human rights violations in Turkey, sharing them with the public, and appealing to national and international legal mechanisms against human rights violations are among its core activities. IHD is conducting joint activities also with the international human rights organisations such as International Federation on Human Rights(FIDH), World Organisation against Torture (OMCT), EuroMed Rights and Euro-Mediterranean Federation against Enforced Disappearances (FEMED).
The Bar Associations, who operate in Eastern and southeastern of Turkey and have signed this urgent call for action, also carry out activities in areas such as the protection and promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms.
The Human Rights Association (IHD) and the signatory Bar Associations have also been working for years towards a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish question. Significant developments have occurred during the peace process that commenced under parliamentary auspices in October 2024. Meetings were held with the leader of the PKK in prison, the organization decided to lay down its arms, and dissolved itself.
While negotiations between the parties continue, recent developments in Syria pose a potential risk to the peace process. While talks between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Interim Syrian Government are continuing in Syria under the supervision and monitoring of the International Coalition, armed groups affiliated with the Interim Syrian Government have attacked the Sheikh Maksut and Ashrafiya neighbourhoods in Aleppo. Widespread and credibly substantiated allegations have been reported of acts contrary to the Geneva Conventions in these neighbourhoods inhabited by Kurds, Alevi, Assyrians and Armenians, including murders, abductions, torture, and ill-treatment of civilians, as well as the bombing of civilian settlements and infrastructure. The appalling images of these acts have been broadcast on various media and social media platforms.
Following increased attacks, armed groups affiliated with the SDF have withdrawn from these neighbourhoods. Reports indicate that civilians living in these areas have been subjected to severe human rights violations since the armed forces left. As it is not possible to establish contact with these settlements, there is no way to obtain verification of this information. We are therefore concerned about the fundamental rights and freedoms of the civilian population there, particularly their right to life, personal security and liberty, and protection from torture and ill-treatment.
Subsequently, armed groups affiliated with the Interim Syrian Government attacked many settlements under the control of the SDF. Media footage reveals that that civilians were targeted, some captured SDG militants were subjected to torture, ill-treatment, and extra-judicial killings. Furthermore, it is alleged that thousands of civilians whose lives are in danger have been displaced as a result of these attacks. We are deeply concerned that these ever-mounting attacks will result in “ethnic cleansing”.
We call on the UN mechanisms to take the necessary measures as soon as possible to ensure that the operations carried out throughout Syria by armed groups affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government are ceased immediately and that the safety of civilians and their property is guaranteed.
We also call on the UN to urgently investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in Syria, identify the individuals and groups involved in these crimes, and ensure they are prosecuted in accordance with international standards.
Respectfully,
Cihan Aydın Oya Ersoy
Co-chairperson of the IHD Co-cahirperson of the IHD
Nota bene:
The following Bar Associations support the IHD letter.
Batman Bar Association
Diyarbakır Bar Association
Hakkari Bar Association
Iğdır Bar Association
Mardin Bar Association
Muş Bar Association
Siirt Bar Association
Şanlıurfa Bar Association
Şırnak Bar Association
Van Bar Association
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Please inform us of any action taken based on this letter in your reply.
İHD is a civil society organization, founded in 1986, and one of the oldest and largest human rights organizations in Turkey, carrying out activities that protect and promote fundamental rights and freedoms in Turkey.
E-mail: ihd@ihd.org.tr Tel: +90 312 230 35 67-68-69