Statement by Ms. Karen Koning AbuZayd Member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

We thank all of you for your thoughtful statements and questions today.  I wish to close by highlighting a few key observations and recommendations. 

We reiterate in the strongest terms that more must be done to free the arbitrarily detained, and to locate and identify the missing.  Leaving hundreds of thousands of families in anguish is inhuman and degrading. Releasing information on their whereabouts and well-being, or the location of their mortal remains, if they have died, would show basic respect for the inherent dignity of the families.   This is an issue that affects all Syrians, and it should be prioritized as a fundamental humanitarian imperative.

Furthermore, when the Commission speaks about innovation needed to address areas of restorative justice, we are referring to measures as follows: to support families, demobilize child fighters, provide holistic psycho-social support (in particular for children and victims of sexual and gender-based violence), preserving and restoring vital civil documentation, among other issues.

While the world is experiencing a great deal of collective fatigue from COVID-19, and enduring seemingly intractable conflicts, it is important to bring these discussions before the Human Rights Council, and to ensure that the conflict inflicted upon Syrians remains on the agenda of the international community.