Tue Dec 24 05:36:44 UTC 2024: ## UN Investigative Team to Deploy to Syria After Receiving Cooperation Pledge
**Damascus, Syria –** A UN investigative team tasked with probing war crimes in Syria will soon deploy to the country following a positive reception from the new Syrian authorities, according to a UN spokesperson. The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) for Syria, responsible for gathering evidence of potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed since 2011, conducted its first visit to Damascus since its establishment in 2016.
Robert Petit, head of the IIIM, reported that Syrian officials were “very receptive” to the team’s request for cooperation. The visit underscored the urgency of preserving crucial documents and evidence before they are lost, particularly given the recent rebel overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad and the subsequent opening of prisons and detention facilities. Mr. Petit emphasized the need to act quickly, stating that “time is running out” to secure evidence of atrocities.
The UN spokesperson confirmed the IIIM is preparing for deployment pending authorization to operate within Syria. The team’s visit revealed a vast quantity of government documentation detailing the systematic nature of the regime’s alleged crimes. Mr. Petit stressed the need for a collective effort involving Syrian civil society, international partners, and the UN to preserve evidence and ensure inclusive representation of victims in the pursuit of justice. The UN also established an Independent Institution of Missing Persons in June 2023 to address the fate of over 130,000 missing individuals. The deployment of the IIIM represents a significant step towards accountability for alleged atrocities committed during the Syrian civil war.
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