MESOP : SEVERE VIOLATIONS OF UN REGULATIONS BY PYD / PKK ? Forcible recruitments & the deployment of child soldiers by the Democratic Union Party in Syria

KURDWATCH, June 30, 2015—On July 13, 2014, the legislative council for the canton of Jazirah, which was appointed by the Democratic Union Party (PYD), enacted a law on compulsory military service entitled the »Duty of Self-Defense«. The following report analyzes the text of the law and concerns itself with the recruiting practices of the PYD’s paramilitary, the People’s Defense Units (YPG), since the law was adopted. The text of the law Articles 2 and 3 of the law on compulsory military service1 define the group of people to whom the law applies. Article 2 states:

»The duty of self-defense is a social and moral duty of the entire population. Therefore it is the responsibility of each family that resides in the region to supply a member to carry out this duty.«

Article 3 continues: »The provisions of this law apply to all males between the ages of 18 and 30 years. Women may volunteer themselves to self-defense.« Read full pdf document : http://kurdwatch.org/pdf/KurdWatch_A010_en_Zwangsrekrutierung.pdf