Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

Latest news

Syria: Accountability, inclusion, and non-recurrence central to successful transition, UN Syria Commisssion says
08 September 2026
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission releases report on July massacres and other grave violations committed in Suwayda and calls for expanded accountability measures
27 March 2026
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission calls for justice, reform, and international support as Syria’s fragile transition remains undermined by ongoing violations
12 March 2026
العربية | English

Syria: UN Commission of Inquiry completes Syria mission in midst of regional clashes, encouraging respect for human rights
06 March 2026
English only

UN Syria Commission of Inquiry welcomes new ceasefire and calls for continuing efforts to protect civilians and prevent violations in northeast Syria
30 January 2026
العربية | English

Human Rights Council President appoints Members of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
15 December 2025
العربية | English

“The future of Syria is in the balance:” UN Commission sounds alarm on renewed violence amid hopes for justice and peace
30 October 2025
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission finds March coastal violence was widespread and systematic: outlines urgent steps to prevent future violations and restore public confidence
14 August 2025
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission deeply alarmed by Suwayda violence, urges de-escalation, civilian protection and respect for human rights
15 July 2025
العربية | English

Oral Update by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic at the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council
27 June 2025
English

UN Syria Commission: fresh clashes and Israeli intervention threaten fragile peace
02 May 2025
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission welcomes caretaker government’s openness to country visits and future cooperation upon conclusion of latest visit
26 March 2025
العربية | English

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
18 March 2025
English

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
14 March 2025
English

Syria: UN Commission calls for renewed commitment to peace, justice, and human rights on 14th anniversary of Syrian crisis
14 March 2025
العربية | English

’Web of Agony’: UN Commission’s report unveils depths of former government’s detention crimes during first decade of Syrian war
27 January 2025
العربية | English

UN Syria Commissioner underscores solidarity with the Syrian people in a first mission to Syria since the Commission’s establishment
09 January 2025
العربية | English

UN Commission of Inquiry team visits Syria, welcomes encouraging signs by new authorities to engage on human rights issues, and urges protection of mass graves and evidence
20 December 2024
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission calls for protection of civilians, humane treatment of ex-combatants and the safeguarding of evidence of crimes
16 December 2024
العربية | English

Never again: UN Syria Commission urges incoming authorities to break the cycle of violence and usher in new rights-respecting era
08 December 2024
العربية | English

“Pillage and Plunder: Unlawful appropriation and destruction of properties of refugees and IDPs in Syria”
06 December 2024
English

Brutality of past years must not be repeated, or Syria will be driven onto a new trajectory of atrocities, warns UN Commission
03 December 2024
العربية | English

Syria being pulled into the catastrophic conflict engulfing the region, UN Commission warns
01 November 2024
العربية | English

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic at the 79^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee. New York
English
01 November 2024

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic at the 57^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
English
20 September 2024

Position Paper: Ten years after the Yazidi genocide: UN Syria Commission of Inquiry calls for justice, including accountability and effective remedies, for ISIL crimes
2 August 2024
English

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. 56^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
English
03 July 2024

Statement by Commissioner Lynn Welchman to seminar “It is a Forever Stigma: The Role of Gender Discrimination in the Syrian Government’s Detention and Torture System”
English
26 June 2024

Policy Paper: Punishing the Innocent: Ending Violations against Children in Northeast Syrian Arab Republic
العربية | English
20 March 2024

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
English
18 March 2024

UN Commission of Inquiry: “Syria, too, desperately needs a ceasefire”
العربية | English
11 March 2024

UN Syria Commission welcomes landmark ICJ order to Syria to prevent torture and destruction of evidence
English
16 November 2023

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic at 78^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee
English
24 October 2023

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
العربية | English
22 September 2023

Marked increase in fighting and a rapidly plummeting economy require urgent Syrian and international responses, UN Syria Commission of Inquiry warns
12 September 2023
العربية | English

“No End in Sight: Torture and ill-treatment in the Syrian Arab Republic 2020-2023” Conference Room Paper - A/HRC/53/CRP.5
العربية | English
10 July 2023

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
English
05 July 2023

UN Syria Commission of Inquiry lauds long-awaited international institution to clarify fate and whereabouts of tens of thousands missing and disappeared
العربية | English
29 June 2023

Policy Paper: Gendered Impact of the Conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic on Women and Girls
العربية | English
12 June 2023

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry. 52^nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council
21 March 2023
English

UN Syria Commission of Inquiry: Those responsible for atrocities during 12 years of violence must be brought to justice
17 March 2023
English

Epicentre of Neglect: Protection of Civilians in Syria Remains an Illusion says UN Syria Commission of Inquiry
13 March 2023
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission: Urgent action required to assist those impacted by earthquakes, including a countrywide ceasefire to enable humanitarian access
07 February 2023
العربية | English

Statement by Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, at 77^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee
26 October 2022
English

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to 51^st Session of the UN Human Rights Council Geneva
22 September 2022
English

UN Syria Commission: Don't look away: Syrian civilians face the prospect of a new escalation
14 September 2022
العربية | English

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro Chair, Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
50th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
29 June 2022
English

Policy Paper: Civilians under attack in Syria - Towards preventing further civilian harm
28 June 2022
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission of Inquiry: Member States must seize moment to establish mechanism for missing persons
17 June 2022
العربية | English

Policy Paper: Syria’s Missing and Disappeared: Is there a Way Forward? Recommendations for a Mechanism with an International Mandate
17 June 2022
العربية | English

UN Syria Commission calls on Security Council to ensure live-saving humanitarian aid to Syria: “Unconscionable to consider closing last border crossing when needs are at their highest”
26 May 2022
العربية | English

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair, UN Syria Commission at Brussels VI Conference in support of the future of Syria and the region
Side event: Moving Forward on Truth and Justice: Addressing the crisis of missing persons and detention in Syria
06 May 2022
English

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 49^th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
18 March 2022
English

Syria’s abyss: UN Syria Commission warns of escalating violence, plummeting economy and a humanitarian disaster
09 March 2022
العربية | English | Français

UN panel welcomes landmark guilty verdict in Germany’s prosecution of former Syrian intelligence officer for crimes against humanity
14 January 2022
English

Human Rights Council President appoints Lynn Welchman of the United Kingdom to serve on Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
01 December 2021
English

”War against the Syrian people continues unabated” - UN Syria Commission of Inquiry to Third Committee of General Assembly
25 October 2021
العربية | English | Français

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 76^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Third Committee
25 October 2021
English

Statement by Commissioner Karen Koning AbuZayd of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 48th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
23 September 2021
English

Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic to the forty-eighth regular session of the Human Rights Council
14 September 2021
Report page

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 47^th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
6 July 2021
English

Arbitrary Imprisonment and Detention - Report of the Commission of Inquiry of the Syrian Arab Republic
01 March 2021
Report page

2021 Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic
18 February 2021
Report page

COI Syria: No clean hands – behind the frontlines and the headlines, armed actors continue to subject civilians to horrific and increasingly targeted abuse
15 September 2020
العربية | English

Rampant human rights violations and war crimes as war-torn Idlib faces the pandemic UN Syria Commission of Inquiry report
07 July 2020
العربية | English

UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria: As global pandemic reaches Syria, fighting must stop and urgent steps taken to prevent an even greater tragedy
28 March 2020
العربية | English

UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria: Unprecedented levels of displacement and dire conditions for civilians in the Syrian Arab Republic
02 March 2020
العربية | English

Parties to the conflict must act immediately and collectively to bring meaningful respite to civilians in northwest Syria
04 February 2020
العربية | English

All news...

Mandate

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established on 22 August 2011 by the Human Rights Council through resolution S-17/1.The mandate of the Commission is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic and to present public reports on its findings. The Human Rights Council also tasked the Commission with establishing 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 of ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes, are held accountable. The Human Rights Council has repeatedly extended the Commission's mandate since then, most recently for an additional year through resolution 58/25, which was adopted on 4 April 2025. The Council requested the Commission of Inquiry to present an oral update during an interactive dialogue at its fifty-sixth session, and to present an updated report during an interactive dialogue at both the fifty-seventh and fifty-eight sessions of the Council.

Call for Submissions

العربية | English

The Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic invites individuals, groups, organizations, and Member States to submit information and documentation related to its mandate via the email or postal addresses below. In particular, the Commission would welcome:

Information concerning the facts and circumstances regarding specific alleged violations and abuses;
Information concerning the identity of individuals, military units, and armed group entities responsible for such violations; and
Views concerning targeted recommendations to duty bearers and conflicting parties active in the Syrian Arab Republic to increase human rights protections and promote accountability.

Procedure for submissions for regular mandated reports:

The Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic reports to the Human Rights Council three times per year, with written reports prepared for the September and March sessions, and an Oral Update during the June Session. The September mandated report covers the period from January to June, while the March mandated report covers the period from July to December.

Submissions for the September mandated report (covering events during the period January-June) should be sent no later than 1 June.

Submissions for the March mandated report (covering events during the period July-December ) should be sent no later than 1 December.

All submissions must be provided in writing to the email or postal address below, and must include

The contact details for the author(s) of the submission;
Whether the submission, or any part of it, should be treated confidentially.

The Commission of Inquiry encourages contributors to submit information in Arabic, English, and/or French. Submissions in other official United Nations languages are welcome, but may take longer to process.

Note concerning submissions for special mandate reports:

From time to time, the Commission is mandated by the Human Rights Council to conduct specific inquiries and produce urgent updates or full reports. In such cases, Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic invites individuals, groups, organizations, and Member States to submit information and documentation related to such special mandates as soon as practical after the adoption of such mandates.

Members

Current Commissioners:

Monia Ammar (Tunisia)
Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (Republic of Ireland)

Former Commissioners:

Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro (Brazil)
Hanny Megally (Egypt)
Lynn Welchman (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Karen Koning AbuZayd (United States)
Carla del Ponte (Switzerland)
Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand)
Yakin Erturk (Turkey)

Documentation

This page lists all reports, updates, statements and resolutions issued by or related to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.

Press releases

Statements

Miscellaneous

Videos

Syria: Accountability and Human Rights in a Fragile Transition. Commissioner Fionnuala Ní Aoláin addressed the Human Rights Council at its 63rd session - 8 September 2026

Statement by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, to the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee in New York - 30 October 2025

The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry – how does it work?

Paulo Pinheiro of Commission of Inquiry on Syria at the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council - 23 September 2025

Paulo Pinheiro of Commission of Inquiry on Syria at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council - 18 March 2025

Syria: Female detention survivors facing tremendous challenges when returning to their communities

UN Commission warns that Syria is being pulled into the catastrophic conflict engulfing the region - 8 November 2024

Syria: Paulo Pinheiro speaks to the UN General Assembly, 1 November 2024

HRC55 | "Syria Needs A Ceasefire Too" Paulo S. Pinheiro Tells Human Rights Councils - 18 March 2024

Syria Testimony: “They took him outside, killed him, and took away the body.”

Syria Testimony: "Anything I did, any movement, made them beat me."

Continuing patterns of torture, ill-treatment & disappearances in detention facilities across Syria

Testimonies recorded by the UN Syria Commission of Inquiry of Syrian detention and torture survivors

UN Commission Backs Investigation into Aid Response After Syria Earthquake | Press Conference - 13 March 2023

UN Syria Commission of Inquiry: Cluster Munitions Attack on Displacement Camps in Idlib - 13 March 2023

Yasmen’s story: Seeking answers about loved ones missing in Syria (Short version) - 18 March 2022

Syria: Tens of Thousands of People Are Waiting for Answers About Missing Loved Ones (Long version) - 9 December 2022

HRC51 | "Don't look away from Syria" implores Paulo Pinheiro - 14 September 2022

HRC50 | Update on Syria by Paulo Pinheiro, chair of the UN Syria Commission - 29 June 2022

Syria: Commission of Inquiry says the Syrian economy is in freefall Press conference highlights: launch of March 2022 Report - 9 March 2022

Syria: Paulo Pinheiro speaks to the UN General Assembly, 25 October 2021

Syria: The conflict is getting worse, says the UN commission of inquiry - 15 September 2021

Paulo Pinheiro of Commission of Inquiry on Syria at the 47th Session of the Human Rights Council - 6 July 2021

Violation in Detention Facilities in Syria - Report of the Commission of Inquiry of Syria - 1 March 2021

Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry for Syria - 1 March 2021

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syria - 18 February 2021

COI Syria report 44/61: Special inquiry into events in Idlib and surrounding areas - 7 July 2020

Contact

For any query or to submit information, please contact:
Emailohchr-coisyria@un.org

Mailing address:
Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
Palais des Nations
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland

For media queries, please contact:

Todd Pitman
Media Adviser
Human Rights Council-mandated Investigative Bodies
E-mail: todd.pitman@un.org
Mobile: +41 76 691 1761

Stories from UN.org

© WHO/Syria A mother caught up in Syria's long-running conflict, holds her child. Fresh evidence of war crimes committed by all sides in Syrian conflict, probe finds
7 July 2020

More UN.org stories...