Informal briefing – Head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic
Statement of the Republic of Estonia, delivered by Ms. Deivi-Päivi Jahami, Third Secretary, Permanent Mission of Estonia to the UN
New York, 22 July 2026
Excellencies,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.
We thank the Secretary-General for the report and the Head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria Ms. Karla Quintana for her briefing.
Estonia commends the efforts of the Independent Institution to provide support to victims and survivors, including through systematic engagement and conducting travels to meet the families of those missing. We believe that the approach to put the victims and survivors at the centre of the engagement is the right way. As the report states, active participation of the families is essential in the search for the missing. In this regard, we welcome the establishing of the Advisory Board in September 2025, which includes representatives of victims and survivors, and families.
We further commend the active engagement of civil society organisations, which has been described as the driving force of progress across all areas of the Institution’s mandate. We welcome the engagement of Syrian civil society in the Advisory Board as well as the cooperation with women’s organisations that have contributed with their specific expertise and knowledge. Estonia applauds the work on a tailored gender strategy. Gender-responsive approach is crucial for understanding and addressing the distinct needs of men and women, and ensuring that they are reflected in the Institution’s work.
Estonia strongly supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process, led by the National Commission for Missing Persons. We highlight the importance of strong cooperation with international partners, including the Independent Institution, that supports and complements the national efforts. We encourage the Syrian authorities to give the Independent Institution an authorisation for a permanent presence in Syria that would allow them to implement their mandate in full and make more rapid progress towards the common goal – to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in Syria.
Estonia reaffirms its full support to the mandate of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria.
I thank you.