New York ,15 April 2026 – Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, ASG Robert Petit, Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM-Syria), underscored that Syria now faces a crucial opportunity to advance accountability and transitional justice, one year after the events of 8 December 2024 that marked the end of decades of authoritarian rule.
He pointed to tangible progress on the ground. Newly established National Commissions for Transitional Justice and Missing Persons have begun their work. At the same time, the Ministries of Justice and Interior have apprehended thousands of alleged perpetrators. He cautioned, however, that these developments remain partial and that significant challenges persist.
In parallel, he added that the Mechanism’s operational role has expanded alongside a growing demand for its support. As of 31 January 2026, the IIIM received 544 requests for assistance from 17 competent jurisdictions, including 107 new requests during the reporting period. This reflects continued reliance on its analytical work, central repository, and operational support.
This expanding workload has coincided with a major shift in the Mechanism’s engagement inside Syria:
- For the first time since its establishment, the IIIM has been authorized to undertake operational investigative work on Syrian territory, including access to a detention facility linked to serious violations
- Monthly missions have enabled direct engagement with ministries and national bodies
- Authorization has been received to deploy an evidence officer in Damascus.
Amid these developments, ASG Petit emphasized that victims and survivors remain central to all accountability efforts. He added “As our engagement inside Syria has expanded, one constant has guided our work: victims and survivors. Throughout our activities in 2025 civil society organizations and victims and survivors expressed the same message: that justice must not be selective, nor evolve into a process that recognizes the suffering of some while overlooking the suffering of others.”
ASG Petit called on Member States to provide sustained support in order to meet rising demands. The Mechanism’s ability to respond to growing accountability needs in Syria and across competent jurisdictions depends on adequate resources, technical cooperation, and political backing.
Without sufficient staffing and funding, the IIIM cannot carry out its evidence collection, preservation, and analytical work effectively or respond in a timely manner to requests linked to ongoing investigations and prosecutions.
He emphasized: “Syria enters a new and uncertain phase of transition, one constant remains: justice cannot take root without sustained commitment, adequate resources, and structures capable of recognizing all victims and all crimes. For this to succeed, continued engagement is needed from Syrian institutions, civil society, victims and survivors and from Member States”.
Member States welcomed the efforts of the IIIM and the progress it has made and reaffirmed their support for the Mechanism in addressing resource constraints and operational challenges.
Watch the speech delivered by the Head of the Mechanism here