UN General Assembly Establishes Independent Institution to Investigate Missing Syrians
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Hashim Sheikh
- . June 30, 2023
- . Update: June 30, 2023 5:34 pm
The United Nations General Assembly has voted to create an independent institution to investigate and clarify the fate of the over 150,000 Syrians who have vanished or been forcibly disappeared since the conflict began 12 years ago. This is a significant development in response to the ongoing war in Syria. The choice attempts to address the plight of families frantically looking for information on their loved ones and give victims and survivors a feeling of closure. The creation of this organisation is anticipated to be a critical factor in finding all-encompassing answers to the problem and in fostering amity and enduring peace in Syria.
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The draught resolution was presented by Olivier Maes, the permanent representative of Luxembourg to the UN, and it honours the tenacity and bravery of Syrian families who have been relentlessly looking for information on their lost loved ones. Families, particularly women, have experienced various difficulties while continuing their quest, such as bureaucratic and legal obstacles, monetary insecurity, and severe emotional pain.
Existing Efforts and the Need for Coordination
Investigating and following up on cases of missing persons in Syria has been the responsibility of numerous international, non-governmental, humanitarian, and family-focused organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Commission on Missing Persons, and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. Families are now in a condition of limbo without a single point of contact for aid or information due to the absence of cooperation amongst these organisations.
The UN secretary-general presented a report endorsing the creation of a dedicated, independent, international body with a robust mandate to look into and clarify the fate of the missing and offer help to their relatives. The report was motivated by the experiences and recommendations of impacted families. This organisation would be vital to an all-encompassing response to the Syrian situation.
The ensuing resolution was sponsored by more than 50 nations, including Albania, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, and others. The objective is to establish a body that promotes coordination, serves as a data hub, and assures efficient contact with relevant parties and ongoing projects.
A Humanitarian Endeavor
Olivier Maes, the ambassador of Luxembourg, emphasised that no parties are singled out for fault in the resolution. By offering assistance and solutions in accordance with international humanitarian law, the humanitarian objective is to ameliorate the situation for Syrian families affected by the crisis. By creating a special institution committed to meeting their needs, the resolution aims to lessen the pain of victims and their relatives.
The newly founded humanitarian organisation is expected to play a crucial role in achieving reconciliation and a lasting peace in Syria, according to the European Union, which expressed its hope that it would help heal the wounds of the 12-year conflict. The resolution reinforces the initiative’s humanitarian focus on all missing Syrians, regardless of ancestry, religion, or political leanings.
Obstacles and Opposition
Despite strong international backing for the resolution, Damascus declined to participate in creating the agency. The resolution was criticised by Russia’s ambassador to the UN, who claimed it violated the UN Charter and was used to exert pressure on Syria under the pretence of humanitarian goals. On the other hand, Syria’s permanent representative to the UN criticised the resolution as being politicised and asserted that it was proof of Western meddling in the nation’s internal affairs.
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An important turning point in the international response to the Syrian crisis was the UN General Assembly’s creation of an independent institution to look into the fate of missing Syrians. This programme strives to help victims and survivors while addressing the difficulties families face looking for solutions. The institution will work to end the suffering of Syrian families, aid in reconciliation, and promote long-lasting peace in the area by coordinating efforts and providing a single point of contact.
