ICMP Welcomes Syria’s Formation of Transitional Justice and Missing Persons Committees
By Kardo Roj
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) on Wednesday welcomed the recent formation of two Syrian national bodies: the Committee for Transitional Justice and the Committee for Missing Persons, describing the move as an important opportunity to address decades of human rights violations and uncover the fate of thousands of missing individuals.
Last Saturday, Syrian authorities appointed Abd al-Basit Abd al-Latif to head the newly formed Committee for Transitional Justice through a presidential decree. The decision follows an earlier announcement by President Ahmad al-Shara marking the launch of Syria’s transitional phase, which includes initiatives aimed at addressing historical injustices.
The ICMP, which has worked globally to assist states and communities in locating and identifying missing persons from conflict and human rights abuses, issued a statement affirming its support for the Syrian committees and offering technical and advisory assistance as needed.
“These two committees present a significant opportunity to investigate serious human rights violations committed over the past several decades and to determine the fate of up to 200,000 missing persons,” the ICMP stated.
Katherina Bomberger, Director-General of the ICMP, emphasized the importance of the initiative in achieving justice. “The establishment of Syria’s national committees for transitional justice and missing persons is a vital first step toward justice and accountability,” she said.
“We hope these institutions will help secure the rights of survivors, including the families of the missing, to truth, justice, and reparations,” Bomberger added, reaffirming the ICMP’s readiness to support efforts on the ground.
The Syrian transitional justice process, which has long been called for by international human rights groups, seeks to address crimes committed particularly during previous decades under the former government. However, human rights monitors have voiced concern over the committees’ methods and mandates, urging transparency and independent oversight to ensure credibility.
Although details remain limited regarding the scope and operational procedures of the new Syrian bodies, the announcement has been cautiously welcomed by civil society actors, including advocacy groups representing families of the disappeared.
In northeast Syria, communities under the governance of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) have independently documented cases of missing persons related to past conflicts, including abductions carried out by various armed groups. While the current initiative originates from Damascus, it may contribute to broader efforts to address long-standing grievances across all regions of Syria.
As of Wednesday, no formal framework for cooperation between the committees and international partners has been announced, though the ICMP has reiterated its commitment to engage constructively with Syrian stakeholders.