UN Press Conference: Clarifying Fate of Missing Persons in Syria for Justice and Reconciliation

Mandate and Mission of the Independent Institution

• 💡 The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria (IIMP) is a UN General Assembly body tasked with clarifying the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in Syria.
• 🎯 Its mandate includes supporting the right of families and all Syrian society to know the truth about their loved ones.
• 🤝 The institution is designed to complement national efforts, acting as a product of collective action led by families, especially women, civil society, and member states.

Scope of Investigations and Numbers

• 🔍 The IIMP investigates various cases, including forcible disappearances by the former regime, missing children placed in orphanages, disappearances by Daesh, missing migrants, and new disappearances post-December 2024.
• 📊 Prior to December 8, Syrian civil society estimated around 130,000 people missing in Syria; more recently, this figure has been revised to between 130,000 and 300,000.
• ⚠️ The institution acknowledges the complexity of the search, emphasizing the need for information, access, trust, and robust processes.

Victim-Centered Approach and Support

• ❤️ Families are at the heart of the IIMP's work, with victim-centered work being a daily practice.
• 🛠️ The institution is developing a comprehensive referral system to support families with healthcare, psychological support, and legal assistance, both within Syria and in host countries.
• 📝 Registration processes have been tested with Syrian families in Lebanon and Germany, with positive reception and requests for further engagement.

Collaboration and Future Outlook

• 🤝 The IIMP is engaging with Syrian authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Commission for the Search of the Missing, to work collaboratively.
• 🌍 The institution aims to evolve into a hybrid entity, supporting Syrian-led efforts with international backing, contingent on circumstances allowing for peace and reconciliation.
• 🌐 Clarifying the fate of the missing is seen as a cornerstone for Syria's path toward justice, reconciliation, and reform, requiring multilateralism, coordination, and trust.

Challenges and Resources

• 💰 Resources are consistently insufficient for the scale of the challenge, requiring not only financial support but also political will from member states.
• 🧩 The IIMP is a modest institution with around 40 staff members, emphasizing that no single entity can solve this alone and collective effort is crucial.
• 🗣️ Building trust with families and involving them directly is essential for gathering sufficient information to find missing persons.