News & Features

Geneva, 19 May 2025 – The establishment of an Independent National Commission for Transitional Justice in Syria, as announced through Presidential Decree No.20, is an important first step to address the crimes of the regime.Given the scale and complexity of violations committed in Syria, no single process will be sufficient to deliver comprehensive and inclusive […]

Assistant Secretary General Robert Petit, Head of the IIIM, was interviewed by Al-Hadath about recent developments following the political changes in Syria in December 2024. The interview highlights significant new opportunities for pursuing justice and accountability following the political transition in Syria. Financial constraints remain a serious challenge for international bodies who can provide support for Syria’s […]

New York, 29 April 2025 – ASG Robert Petit delivered his first briefing to the UN General Assembly as Head of the IIIM. He presented the IIIM’s eleventh report to the GA and updated on progress since the historic events in Syria on December 8 last year.   “The end of more than 13 years of […]

Damascus, April 16, 2025 – Assistant Secretary-General Robert Petit, leading a delegation from the Independent International Impartial Mechanism (IIIM), concluded a series of high-level meetings during his second visit to Damascus, including a meeting with the Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab […]

The IIIM welcomes the news that extensive cooperation within a Eurojust-supported Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has led to the first two convictions of ISIL foreign fighters for crimes against Ezidi victims in Syria and Iraq by Dutch and Swedish courts. This marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of justice for survivors of core international crimes, including genocide, crimes against […]

“Victims never forget, and acknowledging their suffering is an essential part of any credible transitional justice effort.” In a recent interview with Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Robert emphasized the need for accountability to prevent victims from resorting to “revenge justice”, which could plunge Syria into chaos. He highlighted the importance of Syrian-led accountability efforts and the IIIM’s […]

“We want transitional justice for all of Syria. This justice has to happen.” Fadwa Mahmud Geneva, March 19 – The pain of not knowing and not yet receiving justice was conveyed by Syrian relatives and civil society representatives during a moving side-event to the 58th Human Rights Council. Robert Petit, Head of the IIIM and […]

This year, we mark the anniversary of the Syrian people’s uprising during the holy month of Ramadan—a time that reminds us of our shared humanity and the values of compassion and dignity. Fourteen years ago, peaceful protests were met with military violence and led to a devastating conflict that inflicted immeasurable suffering on millions. Today […]

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 […]

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 […]

“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 […]

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

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 […]

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. […]

“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 […]

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 […]

Earlier today, the IIIM Head Robert Petit spoke to France 24 about the IIIM response to the new justice opportunities in Syria. When asked about the impact of the regime fall on IIIM’s work, Robert Petit, said “it has potentially opened up a source of evidence against the regime and its allies that was here […]

UN News interviewed Mr. Petit from his offices in Geneva and began by asking him to describe the reactions of the Syrians he met during his visit. Read the full interview here

Fall of Bashar al-Assad: preserving evidence of the Syrian regime’s countless crimes, a challenge for investigators

Inside Bashar Assad’s detention centers, where ‘death was the least bad thing’

The Battle to Preserve evidence of the crimes of the Al-Assad regime

The Head of the UN Accountability Mechanism in Syria stated: “There are serious crimes, notably the enforced disappearance of thousands of Syrians and the use of chemical weapons.” Watch the full interview here

Watch IIIM Head, Robert Petit’s interview with CBC here.

Head of Syria Accountability Mechanism Wraps Landmark Visit to Syria, Calls for International Coordination to Protect Evidence. Damascus, Syria, 22 December – Robert Petit, the Head of the International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM), has concluded a historic visit to Damascus, Syria. Coming after the agreement of Syria’s caretaker authorities, it is the first […]

Geneva, 17 December 2024 – In a recent UN Briefing, Robert Petit, IIIM Head, highlighted the opportunities and challenges presented by the fall of the Assad rule. The IIIM, previously unable to access Syria, has now requested cooperation to enter the country as soon as possible. The IIIM is prioritizing urgent investigations, leveraging existing networks and […]

The Assad regime meticulously documented its atrocities over decades, creating a “bureaucracy of death” similar to Nazi methods, but modernized with digital tools. Thousands of documents, including those signed by Assad himself, detail systematic crimes such as mass detentions, torture, and executions. Evidence smuggled by groups like CIJA and the courageous Caesar files has been […]

Robert Petit, Head of the IIIM, spoke to BBC Newsnight on 10 December, on the new opportunities for justice following the fall of the Assad regime. Petit said: “There needs to be accountability, certainly for those most responsible for the architects of these crimes. And when it comes to lower level perpetrators, then various means […]

 Robert Petit, Head of the IIIM, highlighted the vital need to preserve evidence of crimes committed in Syria during an interview with Radio France International, following the fall of the Assad regime. Listen to the interview in French: here

Robert Petit, Head of the IIIM, joined Florence Blanc on Medi 1 to discuss the recent collapse of the Assad regime and the distressing images emerging from Syria. He added, “We are now turning our focus to this opportunity for justice, though its exact form remains uncertain at this stage. This process must be guided […]

Geneva, 8 December 2024 – Today’s events are historic. There is finally some hope for Syrians and their country to have a future based on justice and the rule of law. These are the fundamental principles on which the IIIM was created by the General Assembly in 2016.  We have all witnessed the poignant images […]

The use of technology in accountability efforts has evolved significantly, especially since the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17. Digital tools, including open-source investigations, have transformed evidence collection and preservation. The International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM) exemplifies these advancements, with a mandate to centralize, analyze, and share evidence for accountability. Effective […]

Geneva, 6 December 2024 – The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) today released a detailed report analysing the widespread and systematic commission of torture, ill treatment and related violations across more than 100 Government detention facilities in Syria. This includes analysis of inhumane detention conditions, sexual violence and enforced disappearances.  Titled “The Syrian Government […]

Geneva, 03 December 2024 – The IIIM is closely monitoring the recent developments in Syria and is deeply concerned about the escalation and its impact on the local community. Rules of war are enshrined in international law, those who break them will be held accountable, and every avenue of justice will be seized. Any information […]

Michelle Jarvis, Deputy Head of the IIIM, participated in a panel discussion titled “Exceptional Crimes Demand Exceptional Justice” at the Annual Conference on Chemical Weapons in the Hague on 11 November. During the session, Ms. Jarvis outlined how the IIIM is preparing to support the work of competent jurisdictions, current or future, to address crimes […]

The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) is experiencing a significant budget shortfall this year which may hamper its work. The IIIM was established by the United Nationals General Assembly in December 2016 with the mission to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for core international crimes committed in Syria since 2011. […]

“The answer must be accountability.”  29 May, Geneva – At the 8th edition of the Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region’, Mr. Robert Petit, Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), underscored the crucial role of justice and accountability in building a future Syria grounded in the rule […]

Geneva, 27 May 2024 – The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism – Syria (IIIM) welcomes the verdict by the Paris Judicial Court which has found three high-ranking Syrian officials guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against two French Syrian nationals, Mazen Dabbagh and his son Patrick Dabbagh. Ali Mamlouk, Jamil […]

New York, April 24th – In her final oral presentation to the General Assembly before stepping down as the Head of the International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM), Catherine Marchi-Uhel delivered a comprehensive report. Ms. Uhel highlighted the IIIM’s significant contributions to justice in Syria, detailing numerous concrete achievements. During the presentation, she […]

Last week, the IIIM participated in the European Network for Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, and War Crimes, commonly known as the Genocide Network. This biannual cooperation meeting brings together national authorities dedicated to investigating and prosecuting core international crimes. For our senior IIIM team members, this event is an important opportunity […]

New York, 22 March 2024 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Robert Petit of Canada as Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. […]

“I think it’s becoming easier and easier to justify the value…the results were not very visible especially in the early days, but they are becoming more and more so.” In this in-depth interview, Catherine Marchi-Uhel, Head of IIIM, highlights the mechanism’s tangible contributions to international justice and shares the innovative approaches it developed that have […]

In a new series the Asymmetrical Haircuts podcast team are focusing on UN accountability mechanisms. It is therefore only appropriate that the first episode is about the IIIM, the very first UN accountability mechanism created by the General Assembly, which became operational in 2018.  Catherine Marchi-Uhel, the IIIM Head, talks to Janet H. Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg about the challenges […]

On International Women’s Day, we honour the tireless efforts and indispensable contributions of Syrian women and girls in their unwavering pursuit of justice and accountability, despite the many risks and challenges.    Women human rights defenders, activists, and feminist-led organizations have actively engaged with our work, not only sharing valuable material but also shaping the IIIM Gender Strategy with […]

As part of a series on Cybersecurity and Data Protection on the ICRC Humanitarian Law and Policy blog, IIIM Associate Legal Officer Rayyan Ghuma and Information and Evidence Officer Birhane Wossen Reta, contributed a post exploring how the IIIM’s Victim/Survivor-Centred Approach (VSCA) is applied to its data protection and open-source research processes. The post outlines the IIIM’s attention to victim/survivor rights, and the development […]