On the occasion of the 38th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, No Peace Without Justice and the Euro-Syrian Democratic Forum are convening a side Event on ” Enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention in Syria “, to be held on Wednesday 27 June 2018 (from 12:00 – 13:30, Room XXVI, Palais des Nations, United Nations Office in Geneva). The meeting is co-sponsored by the Governments of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Sweden.

Panelists of the meeting, to be co-Chaired by Niccolò Figà-Talamanca, Secretary General No Peace Without Justice and Hussein Sabbagh, Secretary General of Euro-Syrian Democratic Forum, will include Yaser Alfarhan, Head of the Syrian National Commission for Missing Persons and Detainees; Alise Mofrej, Member of SNC in charge of Detainees and missing Persons file; Abdulla Al-Kheir, URNAMMU for Justice and Human Rights. Welcome remarks will be made by H.E. Amb. Carsten Staur, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Denmark.

The side-event will aim at highlighting the impact of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention on Syrian society and foster a discussion on the fundamental issues of transitional justice as an essential component of any negotiation on Syria’s future. The meeting will also serve as a reminder that victims of political violence and their families are critical actors for the elaboration of policies and strategies to put an end to the war. Without appropriate social, political and legislative reforms, the victims of political violence will not be able to find any form of redress within the Syrian judicial system, endangering any meaningful political solution to the war. Proper mechanisms and procedures need to be set up to protect victims of enforced disappearances, the detainees and their families and to ensure that legislative and regulatory measures are elaborated to provide redress for victims, including non-repetition of the crimes, as fundamental elements for any lasting political settlement. International mechanisms, such as the CoI and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for the crimes committed in Syria (IIIM), have a crucial role in supporting and enhancing the accountability process for serious international crimes committed in Syria.

Documentation

• Final report of the side-event
• Concept note and agenda
• Flyer of the side-event

For further information, please contact Gianluca Eramo (MENA Democracy program Director) on geramo@npwj.org or Nicola Giovannini (Press & Public Affairs Coordinator) on ngiovannini@npwj.org.