The UN General Assembly approves the creation of an independent mechanism on enforced disappearance in Syria

June 29 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United Nations General Assembly has approved this Thursday the creation of an independent mechanism to investigate the detention and forced disappearance of some 100,000 people since the beginning of the Syrian war in 2011.

The measure has been approved by 83 votes in favor, eleven votes against — China, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Russia, Bolivia, Belarus, Nicaragua, Syria and Zimbabwe–, while 62 abstentions have been counted. including Saudi Arabia.

Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Bassam Sabbagh, has criticized the measure, alleging that the mechanism — which does not include any working method, as well as regulations — is a “pretext” to interfere in the internal affairs of the country and exert pressure against the Syrian government.

Sabbagh has also detailed that Damascus has carried out independent investigations in accordance with the country’s law, while it has also created specialized medical teams for the treatment of mass graves.

Likewise, Syria has collaborated with the International Committee of the Red Cross for the training of Syrian forensic doctors. “The Syrian Arab Republic takes solving this humanitarian problem very seriously. However, we refuse to accept the politicized approach that has been taken,” she added.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, assured at the end of March that Syrian citizens of “all factions” have missing loved ones, “including members who have disappeared by force, being kidnapped, tortured and arbitrarily detained”.

The creation of an independent mechanism to investigate disappearances in Syria had been a constant demand from NGOs such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) or Amnesty International (AI), who point directly to the Government of Syrian President Bashar al Assad as the main “responsible “.