On 29 June 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic resolution (A/77/L.79) to establish a new international institution to clarify the fate and whereabouts of the missing in Syria.

Both the UNSG report and related UNGA resolutions (1, 2) emphasise the need for a victim and survivor-centered approach in the institution, to ensure their full and meaningful participation and representation. It will also “engage with women’s organizations and other civil society organizations in a regular and sustained manner.”

Fadwa Mahmood of Families For Freedom (a founding member of the Truth and Justice Charter) said: “This institution is the first concrete step to address the missing plight that was entirely envisioned by the survivors and the families [and] represents a glimmer of hope.”

The institution will also build on previous efforts and coordinate with existing local and international actors to ensure complementarity.

Background

Syrian organisations have documented that at least 100,000 people have gone missing in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, constituting a major humanitarian crisis.

Syrian victims and their families have been working tirelessly to seek answers. In 2021, five victim, survivor and family associations joined forces and put forth the Truth and Justice Charter – a common vision for truth and justice. The Charter has since then expanded to 10 organisations.

Following advocacy efforts by the Charter members, a number of Syrian civil society and international bodies have recognised the urgent need to deal with the crisis of Syria’s missing. They include the UN Secretary General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance, the International Committee of the Red Cross and others.

Impunity Watch, a partner of GAAMAC, is part of a wide group of Syrian and international organisations providing support to Syria’s victims and survivors in their advocacy work.

This article was originally published by Impunity Watch. Read the full-length article here. Photo: Guido Neira/ The Syria Campaign/ Impunity Watch