Syrian National Missing Persons Board signs international cooperation agreement
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian National Missing Persons Board announced on Wednesday the signing of a joint declaration of cooperation with international organizations to support efforts in tracing missing Syrians and investigating the circumstances of their disappearances.
The agreement was signed with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the Independent International Missing Persons Organization (IIMP). The collaboration aims to support the national process of clarifying the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in Syria, regardless of the circumstances of their disappearance or their affiliations.
The declaration emphasizes that all parties commit to respecting international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and principles of neutrality, independence, and impartiality. It also highlights that victims and their families remain central to the national process for determining the fate of the missing.
The agreement provides technical, legal, institutional, and advisory support to strengthen the capacities of the National Missing Persons Board, establishing a comprehensive national process led by the Board. This process is intended to contribute to sustainable peace based on dignity, truth, and respect for the rights of all missing persons and their families in Syria.
Zina Shahla, media advisor for the Board, told North Press, “Today we signed a declaration between the Board and a group of international institutions working on missing persons issues globally.” She added, “The importance of this declaration is the international recognition that the National Missing Persons Board is directly responsible for the missing persons file in Syria. Centralizing this file within the Board ensures that these organizations will provide full technical and institutional support to search for all missing Syrians and assist their families.”
The agreement represents a significant step in formalizing international support for Syria’s efforts to account for missing persons and strengthen mechanisms that uphold the rights and dignity of affected families.