Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, PDA. Thank you, Madam President. And profound thanks also to Karla Quintana, the Head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic for her briefing.
Denmark aligns with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union.
I welcome the opportunity to further focus on the critical work of the IIMP following the Arria Formula meeting Denmark organized yesterday in cooperation with Colombia, Luxemburg and Syria.
Let me confirm Denmark’s strong support for the IIMP’s mandate, in support of a Syrian-led and owned effort to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons and support the victims, survivors and their families.
As highlighted by the report, the IIMP continues to serve a critical function in providing technical assistance and survivor-centred services, in close cooperation with families and civil society.
The establishment of an Advisory Board, featuring strong independent Syrian voices, including several Syrian women and human rights defenders, is especially welcome.
To further facilitate the Mechanism’s work, we encourage the Syrian government to grant the IIMP permission to establish an in-country presence and to work in close cooperation with the Mechanism to advance the search for the missing in Syria.
The path towards national reconciliation, justice, human rights and a sustainable peace is challenging, but is the only way to go. Partnerships between national and international actors, especially national civil society actors, can ease this arduous journey.
Denmark remains committed to support all such efforts.
I thank you.
