Amnesty International released a report on April 17, 2024, discussing violations against detainees in areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria.
The report highlighted systematic violations against more than 56,000 detainees, including 14,500 women and 30,000 children, leading to the deaths of many due to inhumane conditions in at least 29 detention facilities and camps.
Entitled “Mass Death, Torture, and Other Violations Against Detainees Following the Defeat of the Islamic State,” the report confirmed that among the detainees were “victims of the Islamic State” including Yazidis, women and girls subjected to forced marriages, and boys recruited as child soldiers.
The report noted that the Self-Administration authorities affiliated with the SDF are considered the main partner of the US government and other coalition members who defeated ISIS in northeastern Syria.
US Response to the Report
The US Department responded to Amnesty International’s report, stating that it is “deeply concerned” about the reported “human rights violations” in Syria.
The State Department spokesperson told Alhurra channel that the Biden administration looks forward to reviewing Amnesty International’s recommendations in detail.
The spokesperson added that the needs in the al-Hol camp and detention centers in northeastern Syria are immense, and the international response suffers from significant funding shortages. The US administration continues to pressure its partners there to provide additional resources.
The spokesperson affirmed that the only permanent solution to these challenges is “the return or repatriation of refugees and detainees to their original areas so that they can be effectively reintegrated into host communities wherever appropriate and held accountable for their crimes.”
The spokesperson clarified that they continue to urge all parties involved to respect human rights, treat all detainees humanely, protect civilians, and appropriately respond to allegations of violations and harm to civilians.
The SDF announced the geographical defeat of the Islamic State in Syria in 2019, with support from the United States.
