Useful resources
Important documents and declarations of key institutions of North and East Syria can be read here.
Background and General Information
Rojava: A Utopia in the Heart of Syria’s Chaos
‘From Qamishlo to Kobane, from Manbij to Raqqa, this story describes the difficult implementation of a new political experience in Syria, despite the obstacles of a the war and a suffocating embargo.’
Chris Den Hond and Mireille Court, July 2017
Here
Rojava Revolution, War and the Future of Syria’s Kurds
The history and politics of Syrian Kurdistan, with a special focus on the revolution in Rojava.
Thomas Schmidinger, 2018
Here
The Kurds of Northern Syria: Governance, Diversity and Conflicts
‘Sheds light on the socio-political landscape of this minority group and the various political factions vying to speak for them.’
Harriet Allsopp, Wladimir van Wilgenburg, 2019
Here
The Battle for the Mountain of the Kurds: Self-Determination and Ethnic Cleansing in the Afrin Region of Rojava
An account of the history and the present situation of the region, plus a number of interviews with local people from a variety of ethnicities, religions, political orientations, and walks of life.
Thomas Schmidinger, 2019
Here
Women in North and East Syria
Kurdistan: Girls at War
‘From Paris to Sinjar, Kurdish women are taking arms against Daesh [ISIS] and defending their people. A group of women who refuse to be victims or stand by whilst other women are victimised.’
Here
Syria: Rojava, the Revolution by Women
‘The Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, also known as Rojava, managed to free itself from Syria in 2011 during the upheaval of war. Since this revolution, won by both men and women, a peaceful society is forming where women have taken up leading roles in government and wider society.’
ARTE Documentary, 2019
Here
A Road Unforeseen: Women Fight the Islamic State
‘Recounts the dramatic, underreported history of the Rojava Kurds, whose all-women militia was instrumental in the perilous mountaintop rescue of tens of thousands of civilians besieged in Iraq.’
Meredith Tax, 2016
Here
Kongreya Star and its Committees
Brochure produced by Kongreya Star detailing the various committees and offices through which it conducts its work.
Kongreya Star Diplomatic Relations Committee, 2018
Here
Turkish invasion of Sere Kaniye and Tel Abyad
Report: Damning evidence of war crimes and other violations by Turkish forces and their allies, Amnesty International: Here
Report: Syria – Civilians Abused in ‘Safe Zones’
Summary Executions, Blocked Returns by Turkish-Backed Armed Groups, Human Rights Watch: Here
Afrin
Report: Turkey must stop serious violations by allied groups and its own forces in Afrin – Amnesty International: Here
Report on the displaced people from Afrin Canton in Shebha, Northern Syria, and surrounding areas – Democratic Self-Administration of Afrin: Here
Incident report: Intentional destruction of Religious Sites in Afrin – ASOR cultural heritage initiatives: Here
Reality Check: How many attacks did Turkey face from Afrin? – BBC: Here
Turkey and human rights:
Report: Journalists in northern Syria face intimidation and insecurity every day – Index on Censorship: Here
Special report: Turkey remains the world’s worst jailer of journalists – Committee for the Protection of Journalists: Here
Session on alleged violations of international law and international humanitarian law by the Turkish Republic and its officials in their relations with the Kurdish people and their organisations – Permanent People’s Tribunal, Italy: Here
Report on the human rights condition in South-East Turkey – Office of the United Nation High Commissioner of Human Rights: Here
General human rights briefing on Turkey’s worsening rights record – Human Rights Watch: Here
