4 December 2025 - The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria (IIMP) is closely monitoring the reactions of families to recent reports concerning the fate of thousands of individuals who were detained by the former Syrian regime. Many families, who have been searching for news about their loved ones for years, have reached out to us regarding this matter. We recognize the profound emotional impact of such reports and the concerns expressed by many about the possibility of discovering the fate of their relatives online in a manner that lacks sufficient respect for their dignity and their right to make decisions.

Information is a fundamental element in the search for missing persons. The Independent Institution receives information from diverse sources, including families, civil society, media outlets, and others, who share this information voluntarily and exclusively for the purpose of fulfilling its mandate: to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in Syria and to provide adequate support to the families of the missing, in close cooperation and complementarity with all relevant actors.

All information we receive is thoroughly verified and analyzed, and often requires additional elements to produce accurate, reliable, and actionable findings. Once sufficient clarity on the findings is achieved, informing only the concerned families about the missing person directly is a top priority, as families are the primary stakeholders in this matter.

In this context, we also highlight the importance of cooperation with the National Commission for Missing Persons, which has been established to lead national efforts on this critical issue for the country.

The Independent Institution handles all data related to identified or identifiable individuals with strict confidentiality and in accordance with United Nations regulations on data protection, privacy, and security. Any information provided to the Independent Institution by a media source, as with any other source, will be handled in accordance with the established and mentioned procedures.

The Institution does not disclose or discuss any personal or missing persons case-specific information through public platforms, media, or open sources, including information related to the recent reports being circulated. The Independent Institution is not and was not part of the undertaking of the recent report/investigation being circulated. 

We emphasize that information must never be used in a way that revictimizes or harms the families of the missing, and we strongly reiterate that any findings must respect their dignity and rights.

For inquiries and further details, please contact: iimp-syria@un.org