Assyrian and Armenian institutions in Syria have claimed that Democratic Union Party (PYD) and People's Protection Units (YPG) seized private properties in Al Hasakah province of Syria. 18 Christian institutions publishing the notice have accused PYD and YPG of violating human rights, seizing private property, recruiting by force, imposing tax unlawfully, and intervening in curriculum of churches.
Joint letter
According to the news by Fatih Gökhan Diler from Agos weekly, while YPG allegedly has decided to seize the properties of Assyrians who had to displace by internal migration, Assyrian and Armenian churches, political and civil institutions writing a letter against this decision uttered as follows:
"For more than four years our country, Syria, has been struggling with tragic events. Destruction and terrorism brought by [civil] war has caused all ethnic societies suffer. However, we as residents of Cezire have preserved the idea of living together in peace. A new self-governance has been established with some institutions because of extraordinary conditions for the purpose of security. However, rules of this governance have neither been properly regulated nor worked through. This is causing disturbance among some ethnic groups. While all these take place, official authority persists to do its administrative, legal, military, and financial duties.
"Immigrant Property Law"
Christian society representatives in the region have taken the following decisions as to "Immigrant Property Law":
- "Immigration Property Law" in question is a violation of human rights infringing the most basic right, property right.
- No one can be declared "traitor" under no conditions for merely leaving his/her house.
- Efforts to establish "Institution of Administration and Redistribution of Immigrant Property" is a property seizure under cover of aiding those in need.
- These regulations in question provide a dangerous priority to "Proprietorship Law" implemented in whole Cezire Canton. Besides, it will gradually create a Christian society centered demographic change. While seizing the properties of which 35 percent belong to Christians will cause anxiety with good reason in both those who flee and stay, it will also totally prevent the return of escapers.
- In line with the decision the Christians take, not selling their properties nor appointing representatives to the properties is totally legal in terms of both state law and international law. It is wrong to say this decision is illegal.
Recruitment by force, unlawful tax, intervention to curriculum
Christian society representative accused PYD and YPG of v, recruiting by force, imposing tax unlawfully, and intervening in curriculum of churches as well in addition to property issue.
The representatives stating that the "procedure to obtain permission and license, fees and taxes for new permission and license" enforcements are unlawful, state that available permission and license documents were given by official authorities in Syria and that it is unlawful to demand additional tax and fee.
"Recruitment law" and intervention to curriculum of church education institutes are also being criticized.
Christian institutions state that Cezire Canton administration pressuring Christin institutions is an intervention in educational activities of Christian society. (EKN/TK)
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