2023-06-30 00:02:45
The UN General Assembly created on Thursday, June 29, a “independent institution” pour « clarifier » the fate of the thousands of people who have disappeared in Syria for 12 years, thus responding to the demands of families and human rights defenders, despite opposition from Damascus.
According to NGOs, some 100,000 people have disappeared since the outbreak of the popular uprising in 2011, victims of repression or kidnapped by factions fighting against the regime. And “after 12 years of conflict and violence” in Syria, “little progress has been made to alleviate the suffering of families” of the disappeared, notes the resolution adopted by the General Assembly by 83 votes for, 11 against and 62 abstentions.
The Member States have therefore decided to establish, “under the aegis of the United Nations, the Independent Institution on Missing Persons of the Syrian Arab Republic, to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons” in Syria.
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The text notes that this entity will have to ensure a “full participation and representation of victims, survivors and families of the disappeared”, and will be guided by a victim-centred approach. But it does not specify the operating methods of the organization, the UN Secretary General of which will have to draw up the ” framework “ within 80 days in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
OHCHR’s Twitter account praised “An initiative that is badly needed! » : “families have the right to know the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones, to help heal the wounds of society as a whole”.
“UN member states must ensure that this new institution has the necessary personnel and resources”reacted for his part Louis Charbonneau, of Human Rights Watch. “The Syrian people deserve nothing less. » The text also calls on States and “all parties to the conflict” in Syria at “cooperate fully” with the new organization.
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Protests from Syria, Russia, China
But Syria expressed its frank opposition, ensuring that it had not been consulted on the resolution. This text “reflects blatant interference in our internal affairs and provides further evidence of the hostile approach of some Western countries against Syria”said its ambassador Bassam Sabbagh, pointing in particular to the United States.
He also warned against the « risque » that this “bizarre and mysterious mechanism, without precise definition of the concept of missing person or time or geographical limits”may “create a precedent to attack any UN member state, especially developing countries”.
An argument echoed by China, which like Russia, North Korea, Cuba or Iran, voted against the resolution. “This is another example of countries politicizing and instrumentalizing human rights and humanitarian issues to suppress and hinder developing countries”, thus denounced the Chinese representative. This vote notably follows a report by Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who last August recommended the creation of such a body.
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“At present, the families undertake the research themselves, which aggravates their trauma and puts them in danger”the report noted. “As one person representing a family association put it, ‘just imagine having to watch leaked videos of massacres over and over again. (on social media) to see if your loved ones are among the decapitated and mutilated bodies, and desperately conduct your own search.he continued.
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‘Estimated whereabouts and fate of 100,000 Syrians remain unknown’insisted Antonio Guterres in March, calling on member states to act. “The victims here are not only those who have been imprisoned, tortured and killed”commented on Thursday the American ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
“The victims are also their families and loved ones”she underlined, referring to the disappearance of “more than 155,000 people” whose families deserve “to mourn”.
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