Why was the Independent Institution established? 

The tragedy of missing persons has long been recognised as a cause of immeasurable human suffering and a barrier to reconciliation, justice, and lasting peace in Syria. Syrian victims, including survivors and family members of missing persons, Syrian and international civil society organizations, and international agencies with specialist expertise have been working hard to address this issue for many years. Nonetheless, after 12 years of conflict in Syria, there was insufficient progress to provide answers to families about what had happened to their loved ones. 

Who is a ‘missing person’ for the Independent Institution? 

According to the Independent Institution’s terms of reference, a missing person is:

“Any person whose fate and/or whereabouts is not clearly known, irrespective of the reasons and causes for them going missing, whether they relate to acts of other persons or not, and whether there is a link or not to the armed conflict [in Syria.]” 

As such, its mandate includes any person believed to be currently missing in Syria or to have initially gone missing in Syria, regardless of their nationality, when they disappeared, or the party believed to be responsible for their disappearance. This includes those who first went missing in another country, as well as those who are believed to no longer be within Syria’s borders. 

People who went missing under many different circumstances are included in the Independent Institution’s mandate: those missing because of abductions, enforced disappearances or any arbitrary deprivation of liberty, or in other contexts such as displacement, migration, or because of military operations.

Who is a ‘victim’ for the purposes of the Independent Institution's mandate? 

According to the Independent Institution's terms of reference, the term ‘victims’ includes persons who are missing as well as any individual who have suffered harm as a result of the person going missing, such as family members. The term also includes survivors who were previously missing. 

Will the Independent Institution duplicate the work of others?

The resolution establishing the Institution called for it to work “in close cooperation and complementarity with all relevant actors,” and listed non-duplication as a key principle guiding its work. The Institution, therefore, is building on the important work of other actors and cooperating closely with them to avoid duplication and to take advantage of existing expertise and information. For example, it is cooperating with civil society organisations to receive information they collected about missing persons, as well as with the UN and other international institutions. Such information gathering is vital for the search for missing persons. 

What are the Independent Institution’s terms of reference? 

The terms of reference are one of the main documents interpreting the Independent Institution’s mandate and guiding its work. They emphasise key principles and translate them into concrete activities to deliver the mandate. They also offer flexibility for it to adapt its programs and priorities when circumstances change over time. The terms of reference are complemented by other more detailed policies, procedures, operational standards and working methods.  

When will the Independent Institution start working?

The Institution started to become operational from April 2024. Initially, it focused on developing its working methods, information and security architecture, and cooperation agreements with partners. As information is being collected, the Independent Institution is analysing it. After the fall of the regime in December 2024, it adapted its plans and is currently preparing to begin the registration of missing persons cases and working on information gathering and data analysis. 

The Independent Institution works on a daily basis with civil society organizations and families and is coordinating with Member States and interim authorities to guarantee the fulfillment of its mandate. Furthermore, the Independent Institution has requested to open an office in Damascus in addition to the headquarters in Geneva. In the meantime, it makes regular visits to Syria. 

How can I register a missing person with the Independent Institution?

The Independent Institution is working on its registration process for missing persons, which is still to be launched. It is first coordinating with partners to reduce duplication as much as possible and ensure families do not have to repeatedly share distressing information. It will be free of charge, and families may communicate directly with the Institution without an intermediary if they choose to do so through this email iimp-syria@un.org. If you feel there is a need to discuss any information ahead of the launch of the registration process, please send us a message to the same email address.

Where is the Independent Institution based?

The Independent Institution is hosted in Geneva, Switzerland. The host state was chosen by the UN Secretary-General. To fully achieve its mandate, the Independent Institution has requested to open an office in Damascus in addition to the headquarters in Geneva. In the meantime, it makes regular visits to Syria. 

Does the Independent Institution have access to work inside Syria?

The Independent Institution is coordinating with the interim authorities in Syria and has requested to open an office there. In the meantime, it is visiting Syria frequently. 

What about criminal accountability?

How can civil society organisations share information with the Independent Institution?

The Independent Institution can securely receive and store information about missing persons. To ensure the information is used most effectively, the Independent Institution engages with civil society organizations in a series of initial discussions and mapping exercises. If your organization would like to start this process, please contact iimp-syria@un.org.

Who funds the Independent Institution?