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Commissions of Inquiry, Commissions on Human Rights, Fact-Finding Missions and Investigations

Past CoIs, FFMs and Investigations

Media

Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

Map of Syrian Arab Republic © OCHA The 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.

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.
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MEMBERS

Current Commissioners:

Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro (Chairperson) (Brazil), Chair
Karen Koning AbuZayd (United States)
Carla del Ponte (Switzerland)

Former Commissioner:

Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand)
Yakin Erturk (Turkey)

DOCUMENTATION

Human rights abuses and international humanitarian law violations in the Syrian Arab Republic, 21 July 2016- 28 February 2017*. Conference room paper of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic - A/HRC/34/CRP.3
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Release date: 13 March 2017

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic "Special inquiry into the events in Aleppo" - A/HRC/34/64
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UNOSAT satellite imagery 1-2
Supplementary maps to A/HRC/34/64 1-2-3-4-5
Full press conference
Release date: 1 March 2017

Human Rights Council resolution S-25/1 adopted on 21 October 2016
The deteriorating situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the recent situation in Aleppo
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Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic: “They came to destroy”: ISIS Crimes Against the Yazidis
Release date: 16 June 2016
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Press Release: UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria: ISIS is committing genocide against the Yazidis
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Full press conference
Video: E | A | Kurdish

All documents…

PRESS RELEASES

Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic - UN Syria Commission Condemns Khan Shikhoun Attack - 4 April 2017
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Warring parties continued to target civilians for abuses over last seven months – UN Commission - 14 March 2017
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Aleppo aerial campaign deliberately targeted hospitals and humanitarian convoy amounting to war crimes, while armed groups’ indiscriminate shelling terrorised civilians – UN Commission - 1 March 2017
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Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic As peace talks stall, violence soars once again in Syria – New UN report - 6 September 2016
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UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria Condemns Unlawful Attacks in the Syrian Arab Republic - 11 May 2016
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All press releases...

STATEMENTS

Statement at Human Rights Council, 35th session
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14 June 2017

Syria worst man-made disaster since World War II - Zeid
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14 March 2017

Statement at Human Rights Council, 34th session
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14 March 2017

Opening Remarks made at Press Conference
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1 March 2017

Statement by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic on the situation of civilians affected by the capture of Aleppo
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14 December 2016

Statement by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic on the aerial attack against school complex in Haas village, Idlib
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28 October 2016

Statement by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic at the 25th Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council
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21 October 2016

Statement by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic on Convoy to Orum al-Kubra, Western Aleppo
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20 September 2016

All statements…

FEATURE STORIES

	UN human rights investigators decry targeting of civilians in Syria “The only way to end civilian suffering is to end this war,” the Commission of Inquiry on Syria told the Human Rights Council, as the conflict rages into its seventh year. 15 June 2017
	Protecting the rights of detainees in Syria Protection of detainees and the disappeared in Syria was the focus of a recent panel discussion held during the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The discussion focused on the experiences of former detainees as well as providing some ways forward. 11 April 2017
	Attacks on Syrian civilians and aid workers in Aleppo were war crimes “The scale of what happened in Aleppo is unprecedented,” the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said, issuing its new report. The Commission found war crimes were committed by government forces and opposition groups in the brutal battle to control Aleppo. 3 March 2017
	Too long a wait for peace and justice - Commission of Inquiry The Commission of Inquiry on Syria urges parties to commit to a political solution to the conflict, and following a finding that ISIS is committing genocide in Syria, again calls upon the UN Security Council to refer the situation to international criminal justice. 1 July 2016