Victims including families of missing persons and survivors played a crucial role in campaigning for the IIMP’s establishment, along with civil society organisations including victims’ associations and women’s organisations. The importance of their ongoing participation is recognised in the resolution that established the IIMP, which called for a “structural element” guaranteeing the full and meaningful participation and representation of victims including survivors and the families of missing persons in its work, and for regular and sustained engagement with women’s and other civil society organisations. 

When it launches its substantive programming, the IIMP will adopt several different means of participation, including: 

• Representation in the Independent Institution’s Advisory Board; 

• A formal collective platform for two-way exchange between civil society and the Independent Institution; 

• Flexible and needs-based additional means of participation, such as bilateral meetings, written submissions and thematic working groups. 

Additionally, the IIMP will have a Victims’ Advocate in its Executive Office to address specific concerns of victims regarding their interactions with the Independent Institution. 

Since June 2023 when the IIMP was formally established, numerous group, individual and bilateral consultations have been held for victims and civil society to voice their aspirations and demands from the new institution. Staff have visited various locations to hear directly from victims and hold regular online briefings to keep partners updated on our work.  

The IIMP welcomes additional communication and recommendations from victims as well as from civil society organisations. Feel free to contact us at iimp-syria@un.org.