The conflict and the destruction of the infrastructure in many residential sites in Rojava, and especially in Kobanê, eliminated the opportunities for children to access their basic rights. The disruption of electricity, water and communication services makes it impossible for children to access food, education and safe housing. Under these circumstances, children’s rights to life, survival and development are under severe threat.
According to the information from the field that Heyva Sor a Kurd and SOHR compiled on the basis of the data from health centers and hospitals, the blocking of access to heating, electricity, clean water and health services, coupled with freezing cold and malnutrition, led to the death of at least five children. SOHR reported that the health system in Kobanê is on the edge of collapse, baby food and basic needs are no longer available, frequent electricity cuts and oxygen insufficiency have led to neonatal deaths.
Article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees the right to life and development for each and every child. Articles 24, 27 and 28 of the same convention clearly define the rights of children to health, proper nutrition, an appropriate standard of living conditions, and education. Current circumstances in Rojava attest to the systematic violation of all these rights, simultaneously.
We recall that schools and children are not targets in wars. The violation of rights to education affects children individually, as well as the present and future of society as a whole. The prevention of access to food and clean water risks children facing permanent health issues. The elimination of safe housing pushes children to vulnerability to violence, negligence, abuse, and forced migration.
International humanitarian law, and the law on child’s rights clarify the necessity for the special protection of children in conflict zones. However, in Rojava, children are forced to pay the price of a conflict in which they do not participate. The violation of the basic rights of children shall never be legitimized on the basis of military, political or security justification.
We, the Human Rights Association, reiterate that children are not parties to the wars. These multi-dimension rights violations in Rojava shall immediately be terminated. Children’s right to life, access to education, nutrition and safe housing shall urgently be guaranteed. We call upon all authorities to take steps in this respect.
İHD Children’s Rights Commission