Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

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. Read more…

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic - A/HRC/33/55
E (Advance Edited Version)
Release date: 6 September 2016

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

Remarks made by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, Human Rights Council
15 March 2016
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15 March 2016 Press Stakeout by the OHCHR / Human Rights Council / Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (Audio)

Commission of Inquiry on Syria - Media Stakeout (Geneva, 15 March 2016) (video)

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (Advance Edited Version)
Release date: 22 February 2016
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Press Release: "Almost five years on, Syria is a country destroyed with civilians paying the biggest price: UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria"
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Thematic Report: "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Deaths in Detention in the Syrian Arab Republic"
Release date: 8 February 2016
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Press Release: "Syrian Civilians Suffering Large-Scale and Widespread Executions and Deaths in Detention Centres on All Sides of the Conflict"
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All documents…

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

Statement by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to the Human Rights Council
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19 September 2016

Statement by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic on the urgent need to protect civilians living amidst on-going attacks on Aleppo city
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16 August 2016

All statements… 

UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria Condemns Unlawful Attacks in the Syrian Arab Republic - 11 May 2016
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All press releases...

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) 

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