Geneva, 8 December 2025
One year after the historic events of December 8, 2024, Syria is in a markedly different place. The fall of Assad’s regime opened space for justice efforts that were long obstructed.
Over the past year, we have intensified efforts to preserve, consolidate and analyse information that is central to current and future proceedings. Our central repository of information and evidence continues to grow, strengthening the foundation needed to move comprehensive accountability forward.
Since the start of our work, we have supported 256 investigations and received more than 530 requests for assistance from jurisdictions worldwide.
The establishment this year of Syria’s National Commissions for Transitional Justice and Missing Persons marks a significant and welcome development, although many crucial questions remain about the shape and scope of transitional justice in Syria. Through our engagement with the Commissioners in Damascus and Geneva, we follow their emerging priorities and stand ready to offer technical assistance and expertise. Discussions with the Syrian authorities are ongoing to determine how we can best support their work to help define and deliver justice for Syria.
For the IIIM, our responsibility remains the same: to help ensure that those responsible for the gravest crimes committed in Syria are held to account. Syria’s tireless civil society organizations and victim and survivor associations continue to inspire and guide our work. Their documentation, insights and advocacy remain essential to ensuring that accountability responds to the harms they and countless others have endured.
There are of course, numerous challenges facing Syria, including building the trust of the Syrian people through fair and effective justice responses to crimes committed since December 8.
However, the opportunities before us today did not exist a year ago. Turning them into concrete outcomes will require sustained commitment and cooperation from all actors, Syrian and international alike.
My team and I will continue to deliver on the IIIM mandate, providing assistance to jurisdictions investigating and prosecuting those suspected of international crimes committed since 2011. We are also ready to support Syrians as they shape and advance their own transitional justice processes.
This first anniversary is a milestone in a journey that will span years. However, for justice to endure, it must be inclusive and grounded in meticulous evidence and due process, with meaningful participation of victims and survivors. Accomplishing that will take time, trust and cooperation, but it is an objective that is now achievable. My team and I feel privileged to be part of the journey.
Thank you for your continued support.
Robert Petit
Head, International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism