New York, April 16 (SANA) The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) reported progress in advancing accountability efforts in Syria, citing increased cooperation with Syrian authorities and expanded access inside the country.
In its 12th report to the U.N. General Assembly, covering its first full year of work since the fall of the deposed regime on December 8, 2024, the mechanism said the political transition had created new opportunities for justice, including direct engagement with Syrian institutions involved in transitional justice.
IIIM head Robert Petit said progress over the past year had extended beyond international proceedings to include steps taken inside Syria, highlighting the role of national institutions such as the Transitional Justice Commission and the Commission for Missing Persons in documenting violations, preserving evidence and engaging with victims and survivors.
Petit said the mechanism had, for the first time since its establishment, conducted visits to Syria and carried out regular missions over the past year, maintaining contact with key ministries. He added that cooperation with the Syrian government had developed from initial contacts into more substantive dialogue.
He noted that Syrian authorities had allowed the mechanism to carry out investigative work inside the country, including access to a detention facility, helping preserve evidence for accountability processes both in Syria and abroad.
The mechanism also reported continued engagement with civil society, victims and survivors, stressing the importance of transparency and credible safeguards. It reaffirmed its readiness to support a Syrian-led accountability process aimed at achieving justice, reconciliation and long-term stability.
The report called for sustained international support and urged Syrian authorities to continue engagement and facilitate the mechanism’s work inside the country.
The U.N. General Assembly established the mechanism in December 2016 to assist in investigating and prosecuting those responsible for serious crimes committed in Syria since March 2011.
R A H
