A statement addressed to the Victims' Investigation Committee
and the Human Rights Commission
and the Human Rights Commission
Subject: Deterioration of the Health Condition of a Kurdish Citizen Subjected to Brutal Torture by Turkish-Backed Factions in Afrin – Urgent Call for Investigation and Accountability
Distinguished Members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic,
Distinguished Representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
With our highest respect,
The GeoStrategic Organization for Kurdish Civil Society respectfully submits this statement to draw your urgent attention to a grave and shocking violation of human rights committed against the Kurdish citizen (M. S.), approximately forty years of age and father of three children, who was a victim of systematic torture carried out by armed groups affiliated with the so-called “Joint Force”, operating under Turkish authority and support in the city of Afrin, northern Syria.
The victim was abducted on 1 December 2024 and held arbitrarily for forty-two days in one of the secret detention facilities in Afrin, during which he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture. He was later released in a critical condition. Eight months after his release, his health has continued to deteriorate drastically, despite ongoing medical treatment in Aleppo.
Medical examinations and testimonies from his relatives confirm that the victim is suffering from:
These acts constitute gross violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention (Article 3) and the United Nations Convention Against Torture (1984), and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity under international humanitarian law, particularly given their systematic and targeted nature against Kurdish civilians in the Afrin region.
Accordingly, we urge your esteemed bodies to:
With the highest respect and appreciation,
Distinguished Members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic,
Distinguished Representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
With our highest respect,
The GeoStrategic Organization for Kurdish Civil Society respectfully submits this statement to draw your urgent attention to a grave and shocking violation of human rights committed against the Kurdish citizen (M. S.), approximately forty years of age and father of three children, who was a victim of systematic torture carried out by armed groups affiliated with the so-called “Joint Force”, operating under Turkish authority and support in the city of Afrin, northern Syria.
The victim was abducted on 1 December 2024 and held arbitrarily for forty-two days in one of the secret detention facilities in Afrin, during which he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture. He was later released in a critical condition. Eight months after his release, his health has continued to deteriorate drastically, despite ongoing medical treatment in Aleppo.
Medical examinations and testimonies from his relatives confirm that the victim is suffering from:
- Near-total paralysis in his lower limbs due to third-degree burns;
- Permanent nerve damage in both feet, medically described as “dead nerves”;
- Severe psychological and cognitive disorders leading to loss of speech and recognition;
- Extreme physical wasting and progressive loss of mobility and communication abilities.
These acts constitute gross violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention (Article 3) and the United Nations Convention Against Torture (1984), and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity under international humanitarian law, particularly given their systematic and targeted nature against Kurdish civilians in the Afrin region.
Accordingly, we urge your esteemed bodies to:
- Launch an immediate and independent international investigation into this case and include its findings in your official reports on human rights violations in Syria.
- Hold the Republic of Turkey legally accountable for supporting, directing, and enabling the armed groups responsible for these crimes on Syrian territory.
- Ensure urgent medical and psychological care for the victim through coordination with international humanitarian and medical organizations.
- Expand the scope of investigation to cover all systematic violations committed against Kurdish civilians in Afrin since 2018, as part of an ongoing policy of ethnic persecution.
With the highest respect and appreciation,
Date: 30 October 2025
Signatories:
Kurdische Geostrategie-Organisation für die Zivilgesellschaft
Kurdisch Österreicher Frauen – Verein für Kunst und Kultur
Deutsche Internationale Organisation für Entwicklung und Frieden
Photographic documentation
A medical document confirming the accuracy of the information:
Martyr Khalid Fajr Hospital
Nexwaşxane Ş.Xalid Fecir
All clinics and specialties: Physical therapy - Intensive care - Echography - Obstetrics and Gynecology - General Surgery - Orthopedics - ENT - Urology
(Ambulance service - 24-hour X-ray)
Patient's Name:
Prescription
Age: ..........
Unconscious, disoriented,
Cigarette burn marks on the abdomen
Toenail avulsion
- Artificial skin on the soles of the feet.
Missing some teeth
Involuntary movements + agitation.
- Involuntary urination, difficulty swallowing
Doctor:
Date: /20/
Hospital Number: 0952534301
Wishing you a speedy recovery
Martyr Khalid Fajr Hospital
Nexwaşxane Ş.Xalid Fecir
All clinics and specialties: Physical therapy - Intensive care - Echography - Obstetrics and Gynecology - General Surgery - Orthopedics - ENT - Urology
(Ambulance service - 24-hour X-ray)
Patient's Name:
Prescription
Age: ..........
Unconscious, disoriented,
Cigarette burn marks on the abdomen
Toenail avulsion
- Artificial skin on the soles of the feet.
Missing some teeth
Involuntary movements + agitation.
- Involuntary urination, difficulty swallowing
Doctor:
Date: /20/
Hospital Number: 0952534301
Wishing you a speedy recovery
