UN assigns International Body to investigate fate of 130,000 missing Syrians

The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution that will lead to the establishment of an independent body to determine what happened to more than 130,000 people missing as a result of the conflict in Syria.

The resolution, which was prompted by appeals by victims’ families and loved ones, was adopted on Thursday by the 193-member world body with 83 votes in favour, 11 opposed and 62 abstentions.

Among those opposing the resolution was Syria, which said it will not cooperate with the new institution. Russia, China, Belarus, North Korea, Cuba and Iran also voted no.

According to Al Jazeera’s diplomatic editor James Bays, “It’s interesting among those that abstained, it was nearly all of the Arab countries. Countries in the past that used to support the Syrian opposition.”

The resolution means the establishment of an Independent Institution of Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic under UN reps to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons.

While international human rights organizations support the new UN resolution and call for concerted efforts to help the families of the victims, Syrian Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh called the resolution “politicised”, saying it clearly reflects interference in Syrian internal affairs.

Sabbagh claims Syria has addressed the issue of missing persons, processed all claims of disappearances submitted to law enforcement authorities and carried out “independent investigations in accordance with Syrian law and on the basis of available information and resources”.