A/RES/77/301 GA

United Nations A/RES/77/301 General Assembly Distr.: General 5 July 2023 23-12771 (E) 070723 *2312771* Seventy-seventh session Agenda item 13 Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 29 June 2023 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/77/L.79)] 77/301. Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic The General Assembly, Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, Recalling international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the right of families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives, Recalling also the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, in particular Security Council resolutions 2254 (2015) of 18 December 2015 and 2474 (2019) of 11 June 2019, and the Human Rights Council, Reaffirming the crucial humanitarian imperative of allowing families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives, consistent with applicable international humanitarian law, Noting with deep concern that, after 12 years of conflict and violence in the Syrian Arab Republic, little progress has been achieved in alleviating the suffering of families by providing answers as to the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons, and that the unresolved issue of missing persons has had a particular impact on women and children, Expressing solidarity with those affected by the earthquake of 6 February 2023, which further worsened humanitarian needs, A/RES/77/301 Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic 23-12771 2/3 Welcoming the work of Syrian victim, survivor and family associations, and civil society organizations, including women’s organizations, and relevant international actors and experts in the search for all missing persons and support for families and survivors, Emphasizing the importance of the full and meaningful consultation with and participation of victims, survivors and families in any work related to missing persons, Commending the efforts of all relevant actors to address the issue of missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic, and emphasizing the need for enhanced cooperation between all relevant actors, Underlining the importance of addressing the issue of missing persons in efforts towards national reconciliation and sustainable peace, Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General on missing people in the Syrian Arab Republic, 1 including the recommendation therein to consider establishing through the General Assembly a new international institution dedicated to clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic and to providing adequate support to victims, survivors and the families of those missing, 1. Stresses the need for a coherent, coordinated and efficient framework of solutions to respond to the crisis of missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic, to ensure the right of families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives and receive adequate support; 2. Decides to establish, under the auspices of the United Nations, the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic, to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic and to provide adequate support to victims, survivors and the families of those missing, in close cooperation and complementarity with all relevant actors; 3. Also decides that the Independent Institution shall have a structural element that ensures the full and meaningful participation and representation of victims, survivors and the families of missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic in its operationalization and work and that it shall engage with women’s organizations and other civil society organizations in a regular and sustained manner; 4. Further decides that the Independent Institution shall apply a victim- and survivor-centred approach, shall be inclusive of families and shall be guided by the principles and fundamental features of gender inclusivity, non-discrimination, “do no harm”, independence, impartiality, transparency, and confidentiality of sources and information, and the operational standards of complementarity and non-duplication, presumption of life, sustainability, accessibility, and multidiscipline, as outlined in the report of the Secretary-General; 5. Requests the Secretary-General, with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and in consultation with all other relevant actors, including with the full and meaningful participation of victims, survivors and families, to develop, within 80 working days of the adoption of the present resolution, the terms of reference of the Independent Institution; 6. Also requests the Secretary-General to take, without delay, the steps, measures and arrangements necessary for the speedy establishment and full functioning of the Independent Institution, building on existing capacities and __________________ 1 A/76/890. Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic A/RES/77/301 3/3 23-12771 survivor-informed best practices, including recruiting or allocating impartial and experienced staff with relevant skills and expertise; 7. Calls upon all States as well as all parties to the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic to cooperate fully with the Independent Institution, in line with their obligations under international law; 8. Calls upon other relevant actors, including international institutions and civil society organizations, in particular Syrian civil society organizations, to cooperate with the Independent Institution; 9. Requests the United Nations system as a whole to cooperate fully with the Independent Institution and to promptly respond to any requests, including access to information and documentation, in particular, to provide the Institution with any information and data it may possess, as well as any other forms of assistance necessary to fulfil the mandate of the Institution; 10. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution within 100 working days of its adoption, and further to report on the activities of the Independent Institution on an annual basis. 85th plenary meeting 29 June 2023

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