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Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

Map of Syrian Arab Republic © OCHAThe Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established on 22 August 2011 by the Human Rights Council through resolution S-17/1 adopted at its 17th special session with a mandate to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic. 

The Commission was also tasked to establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view of ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable. Read more

For any query, please write to: coisyria@ohchr.org


DOCUMENTATION

Report of Commission of Inquiry on Syria - A/HRC/22/59
5 February 2013English | Arabic | Spanish 
Corrigendum - English | Arabic only
Press release: E A F S R C
Audio of press conference - 18 February 2013  Audio icon

Oral Update of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (covering period 15 January - 3 March 2013)
11 March 2013
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Periodic Update from the Commission (covering period 28 September to 16 December 2012).
20 December 2012
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Oral Update of the Commission of Inquiry (Al-Houlah report)
26 June 2012 - A/HRC/20/CRP.1
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Periodic Update from the Commission of Inquiry (covering period mid-March to mid-May 2012)
24 May 2012
E only

Resolution adopted at HRC 21st regular session (Extends and broadens CoI mandate) [41 in favour, 3 against, 3 abstentions]
28 September 2012 - A/HRC/RES/21/26
E F S A C R

All documents…


STATEMENTS

Statement by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, at the HRC 22nd regular session, Geneva
11 March 2013

Statement by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, at the HRC 21st regular session, Geneva
17 September 2012

Statement by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, at the HRC 20th regular session, Geneva
27 June 2012

All statements… 


PRESS RELEASES

Press release from the Commission of Inquiry on Syria (chemical weapons) - 6 May 2013
English Arabic French

UN Commission of Inquiry releases update on Syria - 11 March 2013
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UN commission of inquiry: all parties becoming increasingly reckless with human life as the Syrian conflict drags on - 18 February 2013
E A F S R C

Syria Commission of Inquiry releases new update - 20 December 2012
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Council adopts five texts, appoints Members of Advisory Committee, Commission of Inquiry on Syria, Special Rapporteurs – 28 September 2012 (afternoon)
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All press releases...


BIOGRAPHIES

Current Commissioners:
Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro (Chairperson) (Brazil), Chair
Karen Koning AbuZayd (United States)
Carla del Ponte (Switzerland)
Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand)

Former Commissioner:
Yakin Erturk (Turkey) 


MANDATE

To investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic, and to establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated. Read more...


PHOTOS

Photos of the Commission of Inquiry activities including presentations to the Human Rights Council, press encounters and filed visits…


FEATURE STORIES

Commission of Inquiry on Syria: civilians bearing the brunt of the “unrelenting spiral of violence”
18 September 2012-- The Commission of Inquiry on Syria alerts the Human Rights Council on escalating levels of violence and renews its call for a diplomatic resolution of the conflict in Syria...

More human rights abuses in Syria as conflict escalates - Commission of Inquiry
28 June 2012 --The Commission of Inquiry on Syria presents its report to the Human Rights Council on the events in Al-Houla, amidst fears of further militarization of the crisis and worsening human rights violations in Syria...

 All Feature Stories