Syria: Geneva Call trained Kurdish authorities and police forces on international humanitarian norms

Following the signature of Geneva Call’s three Deeds of Commitment last June and earlier in July by the “Democratic Self-Administration in Rojava” and the People’s Protection Units (YPG), the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), Geneva Call organized a series of training sessions on the enforcement of the obligations contained in the Deeds and more generally international humanitarian norms to both the authorities and its police forces.

The first sessions took place in June in Amuda, at the headquarters of the Self-Administration Government and gathered more than 45 officials, including the “Prime Minister” and heads and members of the legislative and executive councils. The training aimed at supporting the implementation of the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines and the Deed of Commitment prohibiting sexual violence and against gender discrimination.

Another two-day session was organized in July in Rmeylan for the Asayish – the police forces of the Self Administration – and gathered 28 officers. It was the first time Geneva Call could sensitize the Asayish on international standards governing security and law enforcement operations.

More training sessions are expected to be given to YPG/YPJ members to follow up the signature of the Deed of Commitment protecting children in armed conflict and the demobilization of 149 children under-18 from their ranks.