Despite repeated international and human rights condemnation, the “Joan Shushkar” organization affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continues its unacceptable practices of kidnapping children from various areas under its control. These gross violations of children’s rights come amidst a suspicious international silence, which encourages the organization to continue its crimes without deterrence.
**Kidnappings continue:**
Many reports and accounts from reliable sources indicate that the “Joan Shushkar” organization continues to kidnap children of all ages, without distinguishing between males and females. Among the latest cases is the kidnapping of the 14-year-old Sidra Hussein Abdel Hanan in front of her house in the Al-Shahba area in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The organization had also previously kidnapped 3 of her friends at school, which greatly worried her family about her fate.
Many sources spoke about the kidnapping of children by the “Joan Shushkar” organization affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
**Terrorism of the revolutionary youth**:
The “Revolutionary Youth” is known as a small, independent militia, whose authority exceeds that of the SDF, and specializes in recruiting children after they are kidnapped and taken to high-security camps run by cadres from Qandil, within the areas of northeastern Syria and Tal Rifaat in the Aleppo countryside¹.
**Kidnappings continue**
: “Joan Shorshakar” elements affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its Syrian branch, the “Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD),” continue arrests and kidnapping of minors in areas controlled by the “SDF” militia and the Autonomous Administration².
3. **Recent kidnapping cases**: In July 2024, “Joan Shorshkar” kidnapped three children from the Hasakah countryside, which highlights the continuation of these unacceptable practices³. Four children were also kidnapped in Amuda in the same month.
Recently, the “Joan Shushkar” organization affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continued to kidnap children, which raised widespread concern among families and human rights organizations.
On July 1, 2023, members of the “Joan Shorshkar” kidnapped the 13-year-old girl, Zuleikha Abdo, from the city of Ain al-Arab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo. She was lured from a sewing center for forced recruitment¹.
**Kidnappings continue**:
According to reports by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, approximately 246 children are still under forced conscription in camps run by the Syrian Democratic Forces¹.
**Kidnapping in Amuda**
On February 19, 2024, members of “Joan Shushkar” kidnapped the 16-year-old Saadia Aziz Hassan, from the town of Amuda in Qamishlo².
**Increasing cases of kidnapping**:
Recent reports indicate an increase in cases of child abduction and recruitment by “Joan Shurchkar”, at a rate of approximately one child every day³.
These developments confirm the continuation of grave violations of children’s rights in areas controlled by the SDF, and highlight the urgent need to take international measures to stop these crimes.
These sources highlight the ongoing violations of children’s rights in areas controlled by the SDF, and stress the urgent need to take international measures to stop these crimes.
**A flagrant violation of children’s rights:**
The practices of the “Joan Shurshakar” organization are a flagrant violation of children’s rights, guaranteed by international laws and conventions. Kidnapping children and recruiting them into its ranks is considered a war crime, threatens their future and exposes them to many physical and psychological dangers. Children who are abducted are forced to engage in military activities, exposing them to the risk of injury or death, and destroying their childhoods and futures.
**Demands to stop violations:**
Demands continue from the families of kidnapped children, and local and international human rights organizations, for the need to stop these violations and hold those responsible accountable. International organizations also call on the SDF to adhere to its agreements signed with the United Nations, which stipulate the recruitment of children, and to return all recruited children to their families. These demands come as part of ongoing efforts to pressure the SDF to stop these inhumane practices.
**International responsibility:**
The international community has a responsibility to protect the rights of children around the world, including in areas controlled by the SDF. Countries must pressure the SDF to stop its unacceptable practices, and take concrete steps to ensure the return of all kidnapped children to their families. These steps should include imposing sanctions on those responsible for these violations, and providing the necessary support to victims and their families.
**Psychological and social effects:**
The effects of child abduction are not limited to the physical aspect only, but extend to the psychological and social aspect. Children who are kidnapped suffer from deep psychological trauma that may last with them throughout their lives. These practices also lead to the disintegration of families and communities, and increase instability in the affected areas. There must be psychological and social support programs for kidnapped children and their families, to help them overcome this ordeal.
The continued kidnapping of children by the “Joan Shurchkar” organization is a disgrace to humanity, and represents a major challenge to international law. All concerned parties, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, must unite efforts to stop these grave violations and ensure the protection of children’s rights in all circumstances. Protecting children’s rights is not just a legal duty, but a moral and human responsibility that falls on everyone.
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