TEV-DEM urges OPCW to examine Turkish use of chemical weapons on site

The Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM) in North-East Syria called on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to task a committee to conduct an on-site examination in the Medya Defense Zones where the Turkish army uses chemical weapons against guerrillas of the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) and Free Women’s Troops (YJA Star).

“Although international institutions including the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) prohibit the use of chemical weapons in wars, the occupying Turkish state uses chemical weapons in its war against the will of the Kurdish people. The Turkish army has used chemical weapons without hesitation against the HPG and YJA guerrillas,” the statement said.

‘EVIDENCE SHOWS USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS’

The statement recalled that the Turkish army had indiscriminately used chemical weapons in Afrin and Serêkaniyê. “The effects of chemical weapons are open and clear. There is a lot of evidence. The international organizations and community that ban chemical weapons are aware of Turkey’s use of them. Prohibition and prevention of these weapons is a humanitarian and moral duty.”

TEV-DEM called for participation in a protest that will take place in front of the OPCW headquarter in the Netherlands today. “We are calling for our people in Europe, as well as social, ecological and legal organizations to participate in the protest organized by the KCDK-E to bring the fascist Turkish state to account. Your message and voice should be heard by the OPCW, which convenes in The Hague today, to bring the Turkish state and others that use chemical weapons to account. We urge the OPCW to task a committee to monitor the situation in the Medya Defense Zones and to conduct an on-site examination into the use of chemical weapons by the Turkish army.”