U.N. examines $3 million funding for missing persons institution in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The United Nations Fifth Committee examined on Tuesday $3 million financing for the operation of a new institution that aims to clarify the fate of missing persons in Syria.
Chandramouli Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary-General and Controller said, “The enduring issue of missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic has been persistent throughout the 13 years of conflict and violence in the country.”
On June 29, 2023, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution to establish the Independent Institution for Missing Persons tasked with revealing the fate of an estimated 100,000 people missing or forcibly disappeared in Syria.
Ramanathan said the General Assembly is requested to approve $2.99 million in additional funding, including 28 posts between April 1 to Dec. 31, 2024. The institution requires resources for search and data analysis capabilities to fulfill its mandate, he added.
Meanwhile, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced on Aug.29, 2023, the formation of the “Committee for Missing Persons in North and East Syria.”
AANES’ statement pointed out the committee will coordinate and cooperate with the relevant parties in searching for missing persons from AANES-held areas since the beginning of the Syrian crisis.
Since 2011, more than 100,000 individuals have gone missing or been forcibly disappeared by Syrian authorities and other parties to the conflict, including armed groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS).