UN Commissioner for Human Rights updates UN General Assembly on progress of recently established Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria

NEW YORK — During the current session of the UN General Assembly, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk updated the UNGA on the current progress of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria, establish last year.

“Work is currently underway on the preparation of foundational issue papers, which include designing and implementing plans for the search for missing and forcibly disappeared individuals, as well as ensuring the participation of victims and providing support to survivors. This marks a significant step forward,” Türk stated, emphasizing that this institution will help alleviate the suffering of civilians and address their profound need to understand what happened to their loved ones.

Türk also highlighted that the institution will search for missing persons regardless of their political affiliations, urging all countries and parties involved in the Syrian conflict to cooperate with the independent institution. This collaboration is essential for the institution to fulfill its mandate of uncovering the fate of missing persons.

In June 2023, the UN announced the adoption of a draft resolution to establish an institution aimed at disclosing the fate of missing persons and those forcibly disappeared in Syria.