One of Europe's leading international law and politics experts, Prof. Norman Paech evaluated Turkey's ongoing attacks on Northern and Eastern Syria launched on November 19. Speaking to the Fırat News Agency (ANF), Paech reminded that Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO), has trampled on human rights and international law in recent years and said, "Unfortunately, these brutal attacks targeting the Kurdish people have become commonplace." Drawing attention to the articles of the United Nations Convention, to which Turkey is a party, Prof. Paech said, "With its latest and increasingly attacks on Rojava, the Turkish state has violated paragraphs 4 and 7 of Article 2 of the UN Charter."

 

CALL TO UN AND NATO FOR 'URGENT INTERVENTION'

 

Emphasizing that UN member states respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of another country with the mentioned paragraphs, German scientist Prof. Norman Paech continued: “Violating these paragraphs and the realization of attacks on another country requires trial at the International Criminal Court. Therefore, the international community, especially the UN and NATO, must act urgently to end Turkey's attacks and intervene in this situation."

 

Stating that the Kurds and other peoples have established a democratic structure in Northern and Eastern Syria where everyone has equal rights and that this should be protected by international forces, Prof. Paech said, “The Kurds defeated the ISIS gangs and saved all humanity, but unfortunately they are now left alone by both the USA and Russia in these attacks. The fact that these attacks take place in front of the world clearly reveals the hypocrisy of NATO and the West."

 

THE STATEMENTS OF MINISTER OF INTERIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE

 

Noting that the attacks of the Erdogan regime can be stopped, especially if Germany wishes, Prof. Norman Paech said, “Of the Western countries, Germany is the country that has the best relations with Erdoğan and has the most cooperation. If Germany wishes, it can put an end to these attacks, which disregard international law, by resorting to military and economic sanctions."

 

Expressing that Germany, instead of playing its role, it supports the crimes of the Erdogan regime and ignores it, Paech continued as follows: “What personally affected me badly was the statement of the Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. She said, 'Attacks must be proportionate', this statement is unacceptable. Germany needs to show its stance by saying, "This attack is in no way compatible with international law and NATO membership." NATO should put this issue on its agenda and put a stop to the criminal practices of the Erdogan regime, which continues to increase.”

 

WHAT DOES PARAGRAPH 4 AND 7 SAY?

 

Paragraphs 4 and 7 of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, which Norman Paech drew attention to, are as follows:

 

Paragraph 4: All Members shall refrain from the threat or use of force in their international relations, either against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other State, or in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

 

Paragraph 7: Nothing in this Treaty authorizes the United Nations to intervene in matters falling within the internal jurisdiction of any State, nor may it compel its members to settle such matters in accordance with this treaty; however,  however, this principle in no way precludes the application of the coercive measures foreseen in chapter 7.