Photo Source: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Position Statement by Syrian and International Organizations on the Renewal of the Mandate of the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria

20 April 2026

Open Letter

The undersigned Syrian civil society organisations and international and regional organisations welcome the renewal of the mandate of the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria at the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council. We underscore the continued importance of the Commission’s investigations, public reporting, and efforts to support accountability, which remain critical, and call for sustained support to ensure the effective implementation of the mandate.

We welcome that the Human Rights Council has extended the mandate of the Commission as originally established in 2011, thereby reaffirming that the mandate remains unchanged in its core investigative duties and fully independent in its implementation, and that its consideration under Item 2 does not change or constrain its original mandate. We reiterate our full support of the Commission’s mandate “to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic, to establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view to ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable”. We further call on the Syrian transitional government to continue to provide full, sustained, and unimpeded access to the Commission to enable the effective discharge of its mandate, and we welcome the steps taken so far in 2025.

In this regard, we take note of the statement by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it will maintain cooperation with UN mechanisms, including by ensuring full, sustained, and unimpeded access for the Commission of Inquiry throughout all parts of Syria. We stress that these commitments should be translated into concrete practice, in full respect of the Commission’s independent investigative mandate.

In addition to its investigative functions, we acknowledge that the Commission will, within its existing capacity, and with no prejudice to the nature of the Commission’s mandate and its independence, provide advice based on its expertise to the Syrian transitional government, including methodological guidance on investigations and the transitional justice process. We welcome the provision of such support, insofar as it contributes to ensuring Syria’s compliance with its obligations under international law; and it does not restrict, limit or replace the Commission’s core and independent investigative and reporting functions. In particular, such assistance should facilitate the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, including those related to institutional reform, access to effective remedy and accountability, in addition to safeguarding civic space and civil society, and ensuring the meaningful, inclusive and safe participation of victims.

In conclusion, the undersigned organisations call on the Syrian transitional government and member states of the Human Rights Council to ensure that any future decisions affecting the future of the Commission are firmly anchored in tangible improvements in the human rights situation in Syria, including the effective implementation of the Commission’s recommendations contained in the CoI’s reports on the coastal region and Sweida, and its annual report, which can serve as indicator of such improvement, and the active protection and safeguarding of a pluralistic and enabling environment for Syrian civil society.

Signatory organisations: