Together with the Association for Democracy and International Law Maf-Dad e.V., we have filed a criminal complaint against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and others for crimes against humanity and war crimes in northern and eastern Syria. The 60-page indictment focuses on the destruction of the Kobane Medical Center and the dialysis centre in Qamishlo on 25 December 2023 as part of a wave of attacks by Turkey.
Turkey has been systematically intensifying its military offensive in North and East Syria (NES) since 2016. These attacks not only target the civilian population, but also critical infrastructure, including particularly protected medical facilities. In the escalation phase between October 2023 and January 2024, the targeted shelling reached a new peak. Under international humanitarian law, medical facilities enjoy special protection as they are essential for the maintenance of healthcare and the survival of the civilian population. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions and the principles of the International Criminal Code (ICC), targeted attacks on civilian and medical objects that do not have a military function are strictly prohibited.
The targeted destruction of civilian objects, including medical facilities and vital infrastructure, clearly constitutes war crimes under the German International Criminal Code. These acts also fulfil the criteria for crimes against humanity, as they are systematically and comprehensively directed against the civilian population.
Turkey’s status as a NATO member has long protected it from accountability for its actions. However, under the principle of international law, serious crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity can be prosecuted worldwide. This criminal complaint, supported by international law, aims to break Turkey’s impunity and hold it accountable for its violations in NES.