US supports UN mechanism to look for missing persons in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The US said on Tuesday it supports the UN call for the establishment of an independent entity with the aim to clarify fate and whereabouts of Syria’s missing people and unjustly detainees, “in parallel with bolstering existing measures.”
In a statement, the US Department of State, said, “We welcome the Secretary-General’s report calling for the strengthening of existing measures and establishing a new UN mechanism focused on missing persons in Syria.”
On September 21, the UN announced its intention to establish an international mechanism to look for over 100.000 Syrians who have gone missing during Syrian civil war.
Acts of Syrian government forces, Islamic State Organization (ISIS) and other parties to the conflict caused more than 150.000 individuals to be “unjustly detained and forcibly disappeared,” according to the department.
The US stressed supporting victims of these “egregious crimes” and their families who are forced to “endure the agony of their disappearance.”
It also revealed it is willing to work with Syrian human rights defenders, survivors, and families as well as the UN, NGOs, and partners “to make this stand-alone entity a reality.”