19 May 2025 

The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic is pleased to announce the opening of the process to appoint its first Advisory Board. The Board will have nine members who meet regularly to provide confidential views and advice to the Head of the Independent Institution on its programmes and operations. 

The Independent Institution was established by and for Syrians and will operate with them to determine the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in Syria, and to support their families. Families of the missing and civil society were at the forefront of efforts to establish the Independent Institution, and their role remains crucial going forward.  

This page provides information on the purpose, functions, and appointment process of the Independent Institution’s first Advisory Board for those interested in participating. It is based on many consultations with victims, including family members of the missing and civil society groups.*1 

We expect to receive many applications from well-qualified individuals, but we can only make nine appointments to the Board. Unsuccessful applicants may apply for appointment to the Board again in the future if they so choose, and we welcome their involvement in the many other means of participation to be adopted by the Independent Institution.  

What will the Advisory Board do?  

The Board is one of several mechanisms to ensure the active and meaningful participation of family members of the missing, survivors, and civil society in all aspects of the Institution’s work. It also provides a channel for the Independent Institution to seek advice and guidance from Syrian and international experts. 

The Advisory Board will provide confidential views and advice to the Head of the Independent Institution on its programmes and operations.*2 The Institution will provide the Board with sufficient information to fulfil this role.  

Board Members sit in a personal capacity, not as direct representatives of organizations or institutions that they may be members of. Nonetheless, they are expected to communicate with their wider communities in the exercise of their functions, while always respecting confidentiality. They sit in a voluntary capacity, though expenses for attending in-person meetings will be covered. The names of the Board Members will be public.  

The Board will meet twice per year.    

How long will Board Members serve?  

Board Members will serve non-renewable terms of four years. Every two years, approximately half of the Board Members (alternately, four and five members) will step down and be replaced via a new appointment process.  

Exceptionally, the first Board’s members will serve terms of either three or five years, to allow sufficient time to establish its work and procedures before the rotation process begins. They will draw lots to decide who serves terms of which length.  

Who will sit on the Board?  

The Independent Institution is seeking Board Members from the following three categories, while recognising that there is frequent overlap among them. 

1. Family members of missing persons in Syria or survivors of detention or disappearance, with a proven track record of activism or mobilization for victims' rights (5 members); 

2. Individuals with a relevant background from Syrian civil society (including but not limited to civil society organizations, women's organizations, professional or labour unions, research or higher education institutions, or media outlets) (2 members); 

3. Individuals with international experience in addressing the issue of missing persons or related fields; this could include victims from other country contexts (2 members). 

What are the selection criteria for Board Members? 

The Independent Institution seeks individuals who fulfill the following criteria to join its Advisory Board.  

1. Victim members 

• A victim (including survivors and family members of missing persons)*3  

• Proven track record in advocating for victims’ rights  

• Proven commitment to human rights and other key principles guiding the IIMP’s work*4 

• Good moral standing and character, with no history of involvement in human rights violations 

• Commitment to fulfil the functions assigned to them by membership in the Board 

2. Syrian civil society members 

The Independent Institution adopts a broad understanding of the term ‘civil society,’ including, among others, civil society organizations, women's organizations, professional or labour unions, research or higher education institutions, and media outlets.  

• Proven track record and experience in Syrian civil society work (via an organisation or independently) in a field relevant to the mandate of the IIMP, such as:  

     - Women’s rights 

     - Human rights monitoring, documentation, and/or litigation  

     - Legal, psychosocial or other support to victims 

     - Economic, cultural and social rights  

     - Victims’ rights, victim-led activism and transitional justice  

     - Research and advocacy 

• Proven commitment to human rights and other key principles guiding the IIMP’s work 

• Good moral standing and character, with no history of involvement in human rights violations 

• Commitment to fulfil the functions assigned to them by membership in the Board 

3. International members 

• Expertise in a relevant field for the IIMP, such as:  

     - Victims’ rights, victim-led activism and transitional justice  

     - Trauma and psychosocial support 

     - Forensics, open-source investigations, geographical information systems, or other relevant technologies  

     - Search processes from other contexts 

• Proven commitment to human rights and other key principles guiding the IIMP’s work 

• Good moral standing and character, with no history of involvement in human rights violations 

• Commitment to fulfil the functions assigned to them by membership in the Board 

How will the Independent Institution ensure diversity in the Advisory Board?  

We seek diversity in the overall composition of the Board, including with regard to gender, age, socioeconomic, professional, geographic, and regional diversity.  We expect Members to bring specific knowledge and experience from their diverse backgrounds to the Board, while treating the issue of missing persons as a humanitarian and human rights issue that is crucial for all Syrians and for the country’s future. 

We aim for inclusivity and flexibility in making appointments to the Board, taking into consideration applicants’ differing backgrounds and access to opportunities; for example, we understand that Syrians who lived inside Syria in areas under the former Assad regime’s control have had fewer opportunities to be publicly active in civil society or politics.  

Likewise, Syrian women have historically been marginalised in public life, and have often carried the civic, emotional, socio-economic, or practical burden of the absence of male relatives, and women who go missing sometimes suffer from social stigmatisation. Such factors will be taken into consideration to appoint a diverse Board with a high representation of women.  

How are Board Members appointed?  

Board Members can self-nominate or be nominated by others, either by individuals or organizations. Candidates may be nominated by several individuals or organizations, and any individual or organization may nominate one or more Board members. Self-nominations or nominations by others can be submitted via the online application form until Sunday, 15 June 2025.