KNC Legal Office Rejects Afrin Property Restitution Circular, Calls for Independent Judicial Mechanisms

ARK News.. The Legal Office of the Kurdish National Council (KNC) in Syria has voiced strong reservations over Circular No. 6 issued by the Afrin District Administration on September 18, 2025, which calls for the formation of a committee to review property restitution cases.

In a statement released Monday, the Legal Office emphasized its commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring justice for all Syrians after decades of suffering.

While acknowledging that the creation of such committees could represent a positive step if grounded in principles of justice and legality, the office warned that the circular in its current form falls short of guaranteeing due process and fair outcomes.

The statement listed five major concerns:

Exclusion of Local Experts: The circular sidelines legal and real estate professionals from Afrin, undermining local representation.

Absence of Judicial Oversight: No independent judicial body is tasked with reviewing or allowing appeals of the committee’s decisions.

Bureaucratic Burden: The procedures risk imposing heavy bureaucratic obstacles on citizens, exacerbating their economic hardship.

Displacement of Property Owners: Most original property owners remain forcibly displaced, rendering decisions about their assets incomplete and unjust.

Loss of Documentation: Years of administrative chaos have led to widespread loss of property records, making claims more difficult and time-consuming to pursue.

KNC called for immediate action, including:

Revoking Circular No. 6 in its current form.

Establishing independent, locally staffed committees with the authority to return properties to rightful owners through transparent procedures.

Creating a dedicated judicial authority composed of local legal experts to handle objections and appeals.

Developing practical mechanisms to ensure the safe and voluntary return of displaced persons so they can reclaim their homes.

The Legal Office warned that ignoring these recommendations would amount to a violation of the rights of Kurdish residents in Afrin, putting those rights at risk and potentially sparking future disputes that could destabilize the region.

The statement concluded with a call on all relevant authorities to act decisively to uphold justice and the rule of law.

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