Action Group – Damascus
The National Commission for Missing Persons and the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) signed a formal memorandum of understanding aimed at developing technical and professional cooperation on missing persons in Syria. This cooperation will be conducted within an institutional framework that affirms respect for international standards and state sovereignty, and ensures data protection and procedural transparency.
In a statement released today, the Commission said the memorandum reinforces both parties’ commitment to developing national capacities in criminal investigations, database management, forensics, and genetic analysis. It also supports programs to communicate with families of missing persons, empowering them to understand their rights and participate in relevant procedures.
According to the statement, the agreed-upon areas of cooperation include:
* Training National Commission staff on search, investigation, and identification mechanisms in accordance with internationally recognized best practices;
* Supporting the establishment of a central national database for missing persons, with secure access to data previously collected by the ICMP;
* Enabling Syrian experts to benefit from advanced technical expertise in forensic analysis and DNA;
* Organizing joint workshops to enhance the participation of families of missing persons in the national process;
* Facilitating regional and international cooperation on issues related to missing migrants and unidentified remains;
* Developing a national working environment based on the principles of justice and fairness.
The commission explained that signing the memorandum represents a crucial step towards building a more effective national system for determining the fate of missing persons, strengthening accountability, and expanding cooperation with international organizations experienced in this field. It affirmed its continued commitment to uncovering the fate of all missing persons and alleviating the suffering of their families.
The commission noted that this step complements the Declaration of Principles of Cooperation signed on the 5th of this month with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Independent Foundation on Missing Persons (IIMP), aimed at supporting national efforts to clarify the fate of missing persons, regardless of the circumstances of their disappearance.