UNITED NATIONS: Top UN officials have called for establishing a new institution to assist in the search for tens of thousands of missing Syrians and bring peace to their families, as the General Assembly debated the country’s human rights situation on Tuesday.
Syrian people “deserve peace” and to know the truth of their loved ones’ fate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said as the country enters its 13th year of brutal civil war and struggles to recover from devastating earthquakes in February.
“Whereabouts and fate of an estimated 100,000 Syrians remain unknown,” he said. “There are people with missing loved ones in every part of the country and across all divides, including those who were forcibly disappeared, abducted, tortured, and arbitrarily detained.”
While urging the General Assembly to establish a new international institution, the UN chief said “we must work with determination and urgency to resolve this deeply painful situation.”
He urged all member states to act and called on the government of Syria and all parties to the conflict to cooperate.
“It is critical to assist Syrians in healing and to remove an impediment to achieving long-term peace,” he said. “The international community has a moral obligation to assist in alleviating their suffering.”
Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, backed the call and elaborated on the parameters of such a new mechanism by sharing findings from consultations with major stakeholders ranging from the International Committee of the Red Cross to Syrian associations.
New, dedicated entity to streamline existing peace efforts in war-torn country
Several member states agreed that existing efforts should be streamlined by establishing a new, dedicated entity. The mechanism would be centered on victims and survivors, lay emphasis on gender sensitivity, ensure inclusivity, and operate without discrimination, Turk said, citing consultations by stakeholders.
He said the continued absence of tens of thousands of people, ranging from small children to elderly men and women, demands immediate action.” This shared pain in America’s neighborhoods and villages must be addressed. Without such work, reconciliation will remain a distant dream.”
He proposed several additional parameters, including that the mechanism be safe for survivors and families, be thoroughly grounded in human rights, and ensure transparency and adaptability. He said there would be no lasting peace in Syria unless progress is made on these fundamental issues affecting families, communities, and society. He added that these steps could help in rebuilding trust between divided communities.
