The Urgent Need for International Support in Establishing an Institution for Syria’s Missing and Disappeared

Establishment of an Independent Institution to Address Missing and Disappeared Persons in Syria

Votes at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is set to vote on June 29th on the establishment of an independent, international institution dedicated to clarifying the fate and whereabouts of tens of thousands of missing and forcibly disappeared people in Syria since 2011. This vote is of utmost significance as it holds potential for providing long-awaited answers to the families who have suffered immeasurable pain and uncertainty.

Amnesty International’s Secretary-General, Agnès Callamard, has emphasized the importance of all UN member states voting in favor of the resolution, stating that this would fulfill the families’ right to truth and be a significant step towards addressing the challenges they have faced in obtaining information about their loved ones. The establishment of such an institution is seen as crucial in bringing some semblance of closure to the families who have been left in a perpetual state of agony.

The Plight of the Families

Over the past decade, families of the missing and forcibly disappeared in Syria have faced insurmountable obstacles in their pursuit of truth and justice. All parties involved in the conflict have shown little willingness to address this issue, leaving the families in a state of constant anguish.

According to Amnesty International’s estimates, at least 100,000 people are believed to be missing or forcibly disappeared in Syria since 2011, primarily as a result of the actions of the Syrian government’s security apparatus. However, the true number may remain unknown as the parties to the conflict have not disclosed who is in their custody. This lack of transparency has hindered efforts to address the issue effectively.

UN Secretary-General’s Proposal

The vote on the establishment of an independent institution follows a landmark report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, published in August 2022, which outlined measures to address the thousands of detentions and enforced disappearances that have taken place in Syria since 2011. The proposal for an independent institution represents a significant step in providing support to the families affected by these grave human rights violations.

The institution, as envisioned by the UN Secretary-General, would serve as a platform for victims and their families to register cases, consolidate existing information, and coordinate efforts with other mechanisms addressing human rights violations. Its establishment would mark a crucial development in efforts to tackle the issue of missing and forcibly disappeared persons in Syria.

A Call for Action

Amnesty International, along with 101 civil society organizations, has urged UN member states to vote in favor of the establishment of the independent institution. The overwhelming support from civil society emphasizes the urgent need to address the suffering of the families affected by enforced disappearances and missing persons cases.

The Syrian government’s systematic use of enforced disappearance to suppress dissent has been well-documented by Amnesty International. These actions are considered crimes against humanity, and those responsible must be held accountable.

It is crucial for the international community to unite in voting for the establishment of the independent institution proposed by the UN Secretary-General. Doing so would signal a commitment to justice, support the families in their search for answers, and send a clear message that enforced disappearances and human rights violations will not go unpunished.

Conclusion

The establishment of an independent, international institution dedicated to clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing and forcibly disappeared persons in Syria is a pivotal moment in addressing the suffering of the families affected. This institution would serve as a crucial avenue for registering cases, consolidating information, and coordinating efforts to tackle this pressing issue.

The vote at the United Nations General Assembly provides an opportunity for UN member states to demonstrate their commitment to justice and human rights. By voting in favor of the resolution, they can fulfill the families’ right to truth and contribute to the international effort to address enforced disappearances in Syria.

It is imperative that the international community works together to support the establishment of this institution so that the families affected by these grave human rights violations can finally find some of the answers they deserve.

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