4 July 2025
The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic successfully concluded a visit to Damascus and Beirut. The visit included constructive meetings with families, authorities, civil society organizations, and partners.
Led by the Head of the Independent Institution, Ms. Karla Quintana, the delegation met with national authorities, including the National Commission on the Missing and the Ministery of Social Affairs. These meetings underscored the importance of joint coordination and cooperation. The Independent Institution reaffirmed its readiness to support Syria by providing technical expertise and strategic guidance to develop an effective methodology, structure, and policy framework for addressing the issue of missing persons.
The Independent Institution also engaged with families and civil society organizations, including the “Truth Tents” and the “Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison,” to hear their perspectives on the importance of clarifying the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in Syria and providing adequate support to survivors and the families of those missing.
The Independent Institution commends the ongoing consultations with families and civil society organizations that are being conducted by the National Commission on the Missing under the leadership of Mr. Mohamed Reda Jalkhi. Placing families at the heart of the search process remains a central priority.
In Beirut, the Independent Institution was pleased to meet with the Lebanese Minister of Justice and the National Commission for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the latter. The Independent Institution’s mandate affirms its commitment to search for all missing persons in Syria, including Lebanese missing in Syria and Syrians missing in Lebanon, regardless of the circumstances of their disappearance.
Meetings in both Damascus and Beirut also included discussions with representatives from Member States reaffirming the importance of international coordination and support. The Independent Institution expresses its appreciation for Member States' continued commitment to the search for the missing.
The Independent Institution looks forward to ongoing collaboration with all relevant entities and partners in the pursuit of truth.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact: iimp-syria@un.org