New York, July 21 (SANA) An Arria-formula meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday focused on transitional justice and missing persons in Syria, with Syrian officials outlining new national mechanisms and international partners voicing support for a victim centered process that upholds truth, accountability and reparations.
Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, said the country’s “liberation process” began on 7 December, with forces moving toward prisons and “breaking the shackles,” as families waited for doors to open to learn the fate of detained and disappeared relatives after years of absence.
He said the fate of the vast majority of those with missing relatives remains unknown and that Syria has established the National Commission for Missing Persons to follow up this file as part of a broader transitional justice path.
Olabi described transitional justice as a major challenge and called on Council members to hear directly from the heads of the National Commission for Missing Persons and the National Commission for Transitional Justice, while honoring the women who have led tireless efforts to search for the missing. He stressed that uncovering the fate of the disappeared is central to Syria’s efforts to build a peaceful future based on justice and truth.
Abdul Basit Abdullatif, head of the National Commission for Transitional Justice, said Syrians had suffered grave violations for decades, leaving deep scars on society and the state, but that today’s transformations offer a historic opportunity to address this painful legacy.
He said the Commission is working to launch a comprehensive transitional justice path grounded in truth, accountability and redress, and that over the past year it has focused on two tracks: an international track to draw on global experience, strengthen cooperation on digital security and archives, and prepare a draft transitional justice law, and a national track to engage victims, survivors and institutions.
Mohammad Reda Jalkhi, head of the National Commission for Missing Persons, said the Commission supports families’ right to know the fate of their loved ones and views the missing persons file as a question of rights and human dignity, and a pillar of sustainable peace in Syria.
He reported that the Commission has clarified the fate of Dr. Rania al-Abbasi’s six children and responded to more than 170 reports of suspected mass grave or human remains sites, while signing a declaration of principles with three international organizations working on missing persons.
Jalkhi highlighted the role of mothers, wives and sisters in defending the right to the truth and called on UN member states to support the establishment of an International Day for Women of Families of the Missing, as part of recognizing their resilience and central role in preserving social cohesion.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the international community has an important role to play in supporting Syria’s transitional justice process and should contribute its expertise, welcoming what he described as positive steps taken by the Syrian government to lay foundations for a peaceful future.
He noted that expectations among Syrians are high, as they seek justice, accountability and transparency, and said the government has begun reforming state institutions and addressing the fate of the missing.
Karla Quintana, UN Assistant Secretary General and head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria, said the UN and Security Council members reaffirm their support for Syrians in their efforts to build a better future.
She pointed out that information on missing persons is often concealed or scattered, making it one of the greatest challenges, and stressed that sustainable capacity building is essential for mechanisms that search for the missing and deliver justice.
Quintana underlined that trust between national institutions and international partners is vital to build effective, multidisciplinary and large scale efforts, backed by specialized expertise, to address the missing persons file.
Greece’s representative said that after decades of suffering, Syrians are ready to begin a new phase of justice, welcoming the establishment of the National Commission for Transitional Justice and the National Commission for Missing Persons, as well as cooperation with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism.
The DR Congo’s representative said transitional justice is a tool for reconciliation, strengthening the rule of law and preventing the resurgence of conflicts and violations, stressing that peace lies not in the silence of weapons but in acknowledging victims’ suffering and restoring their dignity.
Türkiye’s representative said Ankara welcomes the Syrian government’s determination and efforts to advance transitional justice, signalling regional support for nationally led processes.
Pakistan’s representative said a comprehensive approach based on national ownership and the aspirations of the Syrian people is key to healing wounds, restoring trust and strengthening social cohesion, and welcomed the establishment of the two national commissions and preparation of the draft transitional justice law.
Russia’s representative said the missing persons file remains one of the most urgent issues on the international agenda, and that establishing the two national commissions shows Syria’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
Somalia’s representative praised the creation of the Commissions, affirmed unwavering solidarity with the Syrian people, and stressed that a comprehensive, nationally owned transitional justice process, supported by the international community, is the best path toward peace, stability and prosperity in Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s representative called on the international community to support Syrian government efforts to maintain stability, affirmed support for Syria’s unity and sovereignty over all its territory, and welcomed steps taken to remove Syria’s name from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
Kuwait’s representative said determining the fate of missing persons in Syria is a humanitarian obligation toward their families and society, backing continued efforts on this front.
Denmark’s representative said that since the fall of the Assad regime, and thanks to Syria’s commitment to transitional justice, there is now a real possibility to make progress on the justice and missing persons files.
Luxembourg’s representative recalled that hundreds of thousands of Syrians went missing under the ousted regime and that the fate of most remains unknown, underlining the scale of the challenge.
Colombia’s representative said Bogotá looks forward to progress in uncovering the fate of the disappeared and missing as part of building lasting peace in Syria.
Latvia, Panama, and Somalia welcomed the establishment of Syria’s National Commission for Transitional Justice and National Commission for Missing Persons, describing them as important steps that should be nationally led while benefiting from UN and international expertise.
Bahrain’s representative stressed the need to involve all segments of society, including victims and their families, to strengthen social cohesion, prevent future violations and achieve durable stability.
France’s representative said peace cannot be achieved in Syria without justice, insisting that perpetrators of crimes must be brought to justice and victims must receive reparations.
France welcomed the formation of Syria’s People’s Assembly and the draft transitional justice law, and encouraged Syrian authorities to deepen cooperation with UN mechanisms.
Switzerland’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Global Alliance for the Missing, said the establishment of the two national commissions is an important step toward comprehensive justice and truth.
Brazil’s representative highlighted the historic ties between Syria and Brazil, condemned enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, and said determining the fate and whereabouts of missing persons is a humanitarian duty and a foundation for justice in Syria.
Liberia’s representative said clarifying the fate of missing persons is a moral imperative and a core element of rebuilding trust in society. Liechtenstein’s representative expressed support for the justice process underway in Syria and said member states must play a strong, supportive role in addressing trauma caused by atrocities committed under the deposed regime.
China’s representative said the missing persons issue is a “deep wound” for Syrians and that efforts to address it should reunite families and ease their suffering, while reiterating that Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity must be respected.
Head of the EU delegation to the UN, Stavros Lambrinidis, said the EU welcomes the formation of the Syrian People’s Assembly and hopes it will play an important role in advancing the cause of transitional justice and the issue of the missing.
Overall, speakers at the meeting signalled broad backing for Syria’s new transitional justice and missing persons mechanisms, while emphasizing that success will depend on sustained national ownership, victim participation, and international support rooted in human rights and humanitarian principles.
Kh.A / H.H
