The United Nations organization tasked with investigating serious crimes in Syria has reported that the country's new authorities have shown a high level of cooperation during a recent visit to Damascus. The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria, established by the U.N. General Assembly in 2016, aims to gather evidence and prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide since the start of the civil war in 2011.
Head of the Mechanism, Robert Petit, emphasized the importance of preserving crucial documents and evidence before they are lost. With the recent political changes in Syria, there is a growing demand for accountability for atrocities committed during the previous regime.
The investigative team is now preparing for an operational deployment in Syria, pending authorization to conduct activities on the ground. The team's visit to Damascus was met with a positive response from the new authorities, who acknowledged the magnitude of the task at hand and the need for expertise in safeguarding important documentation.
Petit's visit to a government facility revealed extensive documentation detailing the regime's atrocities, underscoring the urgency of preserving evidence and pursuing justice for all victims. The IIIM stressed the importance of a collaborative effort involving Syrians, civil society organizations, and international partners to ensure comprehensive representation of victims and prevent duplication of efforts.
In a related development, the General Assembly established an Independent Institution of Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic to address the fate of over 130,000 individuals missing as a result of the conflict. These initiatives mark significant steps towards accountability and justice in Syria.
