EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Informal briefing by the Head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic

Excellency,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its 27 Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, and Georgia, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia, Andorra and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

We thank the Secretary General for his report of the activities of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria, and Ms. Quintana for her briefing.

We express our full support for the important mandate of the IIMP. We appreciate its victim-centred approach, and the active role of the concerned families and civil society in its work. This was an integral part of the design of the IIMP and it is reassuring to see that the families remain at the core of the IIMP's efforts, which is also key in ensuring a do-no-harm approach. The IIMP aims to bring clarity about the fate and whereabouts of the missing persons and ultimately solace to their families, which is crucial for broader transitional justice in Syria through a Syrian-led process supported by the international community.

We express our appreciation for the efforts of the Syrian transitional government and the progress made by the National Commission for Missing Persons in setting up national structures to advance the search for the missing. We encourage the Syrian transitional government to further deepen their cooperation with the IIMP, including through the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding, the establishment of an IIMP office in Syria, and increased engagement between the IIMP and the National Commission for Missing Persons. It is crucial that ongoing strands of work are framed as complementary and not competitive.

In keeping with the resolution on the situation of human rights in Syria adopted by the General Assembly in December 2025, we use this opportunity to call on all relevant actors to work together, and to cooperate with the IIMP in an efficient manner. Bridging existing gaps, allowing for unimpeded communication and the sharing of information are decisive to enable effective search efforts. A thorough and inclusive process remains crucial, especially considering the concerning continued cases of disappearances in various parts of the country.

We hope that the newly formed Syrian People's Assembly will take up its work immediately and play an important role in advancing transitional justice and in establishing the necessary legal framework to move this vital issue forward.

The European Union continues to stand with the families of those missing and to support the Syrian people in their journey toward sustainable peace, stability, and justice, and in reconstructing the Syrian economy and infrastructure. In November 2025, the EU, together with Syrian civil society and the transitional authorities, organised the first-ever Day of Dialogue in Syria, bringing together more than 300 representatives to discuss how best to support the ongoing transition. We intend to convene a second Day of Dialogue later this year.

We will also continue the provision of support to transitional justice and accountability mechanisms, which will be key for national reconciliation and for building of a peaceful, stable, inclusive and democratic Syria.

Thank you.

1. North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.