Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
October 6, 2025 Human rights
"We're looking for everyone. No exceptions." With these words, Carla Quintana, head of the UN Independent Institute for Missing Persons in Syria, began a discussion about the work of the new body, created at the initiative of the families of missing persons. In an interview with the UN News Service, she discussed the initial results, challenges, and the hope her mission brings.
The Institute, just two years old, was established by a UN General Assembly resolution. It has become a unique example of international support for an initiative coming from the victims themselves. "This is not just an institution; it is a collective effort of the Syrian people, the international community, civil society organizations, and the new authorities," Quintana emphasizes.
"The most important thing is to gain the trust of the victims' families."
The institute's mandate covers all missing persons in Syria and those who disappeared while attempting to flee the country. This includes victims of enforced disappearances, children who disappeared during the conflict, migrants, and people who disappeared after the overthrow of the Assad regime.
"We started with cases where we already have reliable information. These are disappearances related to the former regime, ISIS activities, and migration. But that doesn't mean we're ignoring other cases. We just have less data on them yet," Quintana explains.
One of the main problems in the work remains limited access to information.
"To find missing people, we need to gather all the pieces of the puzzle – oral testimony, documents, and information from various sources. But the most important thing is to gain the families' trust," says Quintana.
The Institute is actively working to create data exchange channels between all parties, from the Syrian authorities to international organizations.
Time is of the essence
Quintana, who has experience working in Mexico and other Latin American countries, emphasizes: "We can't waste time experimenting. We know what methods work, and we're ready to share them."
"Every day of delay means lost witnesses, vanished documents, and dying relatives. We must act quickly," she says.
© IIMP
Carla Quintana during a meeting with the Minister of the Interior of the interim government of Syria, Asaad Al-Shibani.
The Institute has already formed a forensic unit to work with both the living and the deceased.
"We were created thanks to the efforts of Syrian families, and we work with them every day," Quintana emphasizes. The institute holds regular meetings, updates information, and consults with relatives and organizations. The first meeting of the advisory board, which includes family representatives, experts, and activists, was recently held.
A story that remains in the heart
When asked about the most touching encounter, Quintana recalls the women from Daraya who met with representatives of an international organization for the first time.
"One of them told me she started looking for a husband when her daughter was just three months old," Quintana recalls. "This woman was with her daughter when she shared this story with us. She told me she'd started studying and was now a teacher herself. I looked at her daughter's face, now 13 or 14 years old, and realized that for the first time, she was understanding everything her mother had gone through. She was so proud of her. Ultimately, this woman managed to find her husband and give her daughter hope and new opportunities. These are the moments we work for."
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.