Category: News and Features

In an Interview with Anadolu Agency, IIIM Head, Robert Petit, discussed the aftermath of the Assad regime’s overthrow in Syria on December 8, and its impact on the IIIM’s operations.

Mr. Petit highlighted the violations that were committed during the conflict, “There was no justice in Syria. For those who were committing these crimes there was total impunity”. He also referenced that just two days before the fall of the Assad regime, the IIIM had released a report documenting over a 100 detention centers where Syrians were illegally imprisoned, detained and tortured for years.

Read the full article here in English and original one in Turkish here.

©Muhammet İkbal Arslan/AA

In an interview with Le Temps, Robert Petit, Head of the IIIM, spoke about the impact of Syria’s regime fall on its work.

“This is a fundamental change that, in theory, grants us access to crime scenes and new evidence against those responsible for the crimes committed in Syria since 2011,” said Petit. “It is important to remember that it is the Syrian government’s violent crackdown on peaceful protests led to the events we now know. December 8 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Syria.”

Robert emphasized the urgency of preserving evidence, warning that valuable materials could disappear if not secured quickly. “The sooner we can be on the ground, the better. We plan to open an IIIM office in Syria,” he added.

Read the full article here.

©Nora Teylouni / Le Temps

“Now is the moment to build a future Syria based on justice and the rule of law…Now is the moment for the international community to deliver on its promise of “never again”, to help deter future violence and acts of revenge.”

Geneva 25 February – The Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein, H.E. Ms. Dominique Hasler, and the Minister of State of Qatar, H.E. Ms. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, hosted a ministerial-level briefing for the IIIM and supportive Member States earlier last week. Ministers and other diplomatic representatives reiterated their support for the IIIM and the need to advance on accountability-related efforts swiftly. The briefing was especially notable as it marked the first-ever participation of an official representative of the Syrian Arab Republic. The Syrian Ambassador to the UN conveyed his authorities intentions to work with the IIIM towards transitional justice.

During the meeting, Mr. Petit gave an overview of the IIIM’s achievements over the years, including its support, and its recent engagement with the caretaker authorities, in particular Foreign Minister, Mr. Al-Shaibani. “I had a constructive introductory meeting with him. There is a clear interest to cooperate with entities such as the Mechanism, while we are still waiting for an official green light to operate in Syria in accordance with our mandate.”

Mr. Petit also expressed his appreciation for the instrumental role Liechtenstein and Qatar played in the establishment of the IIIM in 2016 in the General Assembly, thanking them and other Member States for their ongoing support. Given the recent change in situation and previous budgetary shortfalls, Mr. Petit reiterated the IIIM’s estimated funding gap of approximately USD 7.5 million.

In this overview, beneficiaries of IIIM support share their perspectives on the value of the Mechanism’s work.

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At the Munich Security Conference, IIIM Head, Robert Petit met with Mr Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria’s Caretaker Foreign Minister. Mr. Petit discussed how the IIIM could now conduct its activities in Syria and the opportunities for justice since the fall of the Assad regime.

Mr. Petit also participated in a side-event on Durable Peace and the importance of Women, Peace and Security. Citing the IIIM’s thematic strategies, Mr Petit reaffirmed the Mechanism’s commitment to ensuring it’s work integrates the voices of victims/survivor and continues to be proactive in ensuring in being fully representative of all groups and communities impacted by crimes committed in Syria since 2011.

In an exclusive interview with The National, Robert Petit, who heads the UN’s International Impartial and Independent Mechanism, underscored the importance of safeguarding records from former president Bashar Al Assad’s prisons, which document the fate of thousands of disappeared people and identify perpetrators of the regime’s crimes.

Read the full article here

In December 2024, the IIIM traveled to Syria for the first time since the establishment of its mandate. This significant milestone reflects the willingness of the new authorities to engage with the IIIM’s justice and accountability work.

With the end of Assad’s regime, new evidence of the many violations and crimes has now become accessible. The IIIM stands ready to bring its expertise and resources to ensure that this evidence is preserved and used to support justice opportunities for Syria’s countless victims and survivors.

“Victims never forget. They always want some form of recognition…some form of accountability, some form of justice. It can take many different ways, and it can take decades, but Syrians are among the most resilient, engaged and determined people that I’ve worked with. And I firmly believe that there will be accountability.”

IIIM Head, Robert Petit and Talal Al-Haj discuss the future of accountability in Syria on Al Arabiya News Channel – watch the full interview below.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian government presents an unprecedented opportunity to gather evidence on crimes committed during the civil war.

Read the full article here

Brussels, January 28 – Robert Petit, Head of the IIIM, participated in a panel discussion organized by the European Parliament, titled “Exchange of Views on Truth, Justice, and Accountability in Syria.”

During the session, Mr. Petit stressed the importance of Syrians defining what justice will look like for them. He also highlighted the critical role the EU plays providing support in Syria.

© European Union, 2025

Watch the full video here.