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.

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.

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.

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.

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.