France urges Syria to strengthen cooperation on missing persons
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – France on Wednesday called on the Syrian government to strengthen cooperation with the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria and urged Damascus to allow the body to establish a presence in the country.
In a statement to the UN General Assembly, Sylvain Fournel, Legal Adviser of France to the United Nations, said France’s support for Syrians seeking justice and a peaceful and inclusive transition remained steadfast.
“There can be no lasting peace without shedding light on the fate of all missing persons, nor without support for their loved ones as they seek the truth,” Fournel said.
He commended the Syrian authorities’ efforts to clarify the fate of missing persons and their dialogue with the Independent Institution, while encouraging the Syrian National Commission on Missing Persons to continue its work.
Fournel said the appointment of the Syrian Parliament paves the way for finalizing a draft law on missing persons, stressing that efforts must also address disappearances that have occurred since the fall of the former regime.
France welcomed the Independent Institution’s visits to Syria in recent months and its support for Syrian authorities in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Fournel also highlighted progress made by the institution in data analysis, initial investigations, identifying children placed in orphanages, mapping burial sites and sharing information with families of missing persons.
“France calls on the Syrian authorities to strengthen their cooperation with the independent Institution, and on all Member States to support its work,” he added.
He urged Syrian government to allow the institution to establish a presence in Syria, saying this would enable it to support work on disappearances more closely on the ground.
Fournel also encouraged Syria to consider acceding to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
He praised Syrian civil society actors for their “immense courage,” saying their testimonies and mobilization contribute to the institution’s work and place victims and their families at the center of its efforts.
The statement was delivered by Sylvain Fournel, Legal Adviser of France to the United Nations, during a UN General Assembly session.