With Families
-
Family groups set out their vision for truth and justice
The tragedy of missing persons in Syria has long been recognised as a cause of immeasurable human suffering. Considering the limited progress on this issue, a group of five Syrian victims' associations developed a charter containing their vision and demands for truth and justice. The group went on to lobby for the creation of an international entity dedicated to searching for all missing persons in Syria.
-
The General Assembly establishes the Independent Institution
After years of advocacy, the UN General Assembly voted in favor of creating the Independent Institution, supporting victims to exercise the right to know what happened to their loved ones.
-
A Start-up Team commences work
Shortly after the adoption of the resolution, a start-up team was established to work on preliminary tasks towards the launch of the Independent Institution, in consultation with families of the missing, survivors and civil society organizations.
-
Publication of the Independent Institution Terms of Reference
Following broad consultations with victims and civil society organizations, the Independent Institution’s Terms of Reference (ToRs) were published, providing clarity on key concepts relevant to the Independent Institution’s mandate and its future work, including tasks to be conducted in 2024. The ToRs also set out different ways to ensure the participation of victims, including families and survivors, in the work and structure of the institution.
-
Geneva was chosen as the seat of the Independent Institution
The UN Secretary-General selected Geneva as the seat of the Independent Institution to better facilitate its cooperation with relevant Geneva-based United Nations and other organizations.
-
Independent Institution starts to become operational
On 31 March, the start-up team concluded its work as the Independent Institution started to become operational as of 1 April. The Independent Institution team continues to meet with victims and civil society organizations to ensure that their views inform the development of the Independent Institution’s work for both the search and support. In addition, the Independent Institution team has been working on building the structure for the Institution, such as budget, selection of premises and staffing.
-
Briefing to the General Assembly on the Independent Institution
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights briefed the General Assembly on preparatory work done to enable the Institution to begin full operations swiftly. The briefing further highlighted the ongoing suffering of families and the hardships they and survivors experience, also in light of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
-
Secretary-General report on operationalisation of the Independent Institution
The Secretary-General submitted a report to the UN General Assembly outlining activities taken in 2024 toward the full operationalisation of the Independent Institution. The report highlighted engagement with families and survivors and with civil society organizations between January and September 2024, reaching nearly 500 victims and over 200 civil society organizations. It also outlined engagement with relevant international actors as well as progress on administrative and policy matters.
-
Independent Institution response to developments in Syria
As an immediate response to the rapidly changing context in Syria, the Independent Institution called for the protection and preservation of information, data, and sites of vital relevance to clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing persons. It additionally called on all parties to cooperate with it, and on authorities in Syria to facilitate its work. The Independent Institution began receiving information relevant to determining the fate and whereabouts of missing persons from relevant stakeholders.
-
Appointment of the Institution's Head
On 19 December 2024, the Secretary-General appointed Karla Quintana of Mexico to serve as the first Head of the Independent Institution.