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.The mandate of the Commission is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic and to present public reports on its findings. The Human Rights Council also tasked the Commission with establishing the facts and circumstances and to support efforts to ensure that all perpetrators of abuses and violations, which may include those responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes, are identified and held accountable. The Human Rights Council has repeatedly extended the Commission's mandate since then, most recently until 31 March 2023.
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العربية | English

The Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic invites individuals, groups, organizations, and Member States to submit information and documentation related to its mandate via the email or postal addresses below. In particular, the Commission would welcome:

• Information concerning the facts and circumstances regarding specific alleged violations and abuses;


• Information concerning the identity of individuals, military units, and armed group entities responsible for such violations; and


• Views concerning targeted recommendations to duty bearers and conflicting parties active in the Syrian Arab Republic to increase human rights protections and promote accountability.

Procedure for submissions for regular mandated reports:

The Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic reports to the Human Rights Council three times per year, with written reports prepared for the September and March sessions, and an Oral Update during the June Session. The September mandated report covers the period from January to June, while the March mandated report covers the period from July to December.

Submissions for the September mandated report (covering events during the period January-June) should be sent no later than 1 June.

Submissions for the March mandated report (covering events during the period July-December ) should be sent no later than 1 December.

All submissions must be provided in writing to the email or postal address below, and must include

• The contact details for the author(s) of the submission;

• Whether the submission, or any part of it, should be treated confidentially.

The Commission of Inquiry encourages contributors to submit information in Arabic, English, and/or French. Submissions in other official United Nations languages are welcome, but may take longer to process.

Note concerning submissions for special mandate reports:

From time to time, the Commission is mandated by the Human Rights Council to conduct specific inquiries and produce urgent updates or full reports. In such cases, Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic invites individuals, groups, organizations, and Member States to submit information and documentation related to such special mandates as soon as practical after the adoption of such mandates. 

Current Commissioners:

Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro (Brazil), Chair
Hanny Megally (Egypt)
Lynn Welchman (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

Former Commissioners:

Karen Koning AbuZayd (United States)
Carla del Ponte (Switzerland)
Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand)
Yakin Erturk (Turkey) 

This page lists all reports, updates, statements and resolutions issued by or related to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro Chair,Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
50th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
English
29 June 2022

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair, UN Syria Commission
at Brussels VI Conference in support of the future of Syria and the region
Side event: Moving Forward on Truth and Justice: Addressing the crisis of missing persons and detention in Syria.
English
6 May 2022

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
English
18 March 2022

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Third Committee
English
25 October 2021

Statement by Commissioner Karen Koning AbuZayd of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 48th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
English
23 September 2021

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 47th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
English
6 July 2021

Statements by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to the 46th Human Rights Council - Paulo Pinheiro, Chair and Commissioner Karen AbuZayd
English
11 March 2021

High-Level Panel Discussion on the Situation of Human Rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly - Statement by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
English
2 March 2021

Statement by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, at the 45th Human Rights Council session
English
22 September 2020

Press conference opening remarks by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
English
15 September 2020

Statement by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, at the 44th Human Rights Council session
العربية | English
14 July 2020

Press conference opening remarks by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, on the special inquiry in Idlib region
العربية | English
7 July 2020

Statement by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, at 43rd Human Rights Council session
English
9 March 2020

All statements…