Madame President,
Distinguished delegates,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the eight Nordic-Baltic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Estonia.
We welcome the twelfth report of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria and express our sincere appreciation for its continued work and vital contribution to accountability efforts at a decisive moment for Syria. We commend Mr. Robert Petit for his leadership and insightful presentation. In the wake of the country’s political transition, the Mechanism’s work remains indispensable.
We welcome that for the first time since the establishment of the Mechanism, Syrian authorities have cooperated with it. We note their efforts to initiate investigations and proceedings against alleged perpetrators as important indications that concrete steps are taken towards achieving justice. We encourage the Syrian Arab Republic to join the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
While much remains to be done, continued collaboration with the Mechanism and sustained international support will be essential to advance accountability, strengthen institutional reform, and uphold the rule of law. Close coordination between international mechanisms and emerging Syrian institutions is essential. Such complementarity is key to a coherent and credible accountability system. We remain strong supporters of the Mechanism, as well as the Commission of Inquiry and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons.
The Mechanism’s continued efforts to strengthen its central evidence repository, including the processing of 96 new items in 2025, are noteworthy. This core function - organizing, safeguarding, and analyzing evidence in accordance with criminal law standards - helps ensure that the conditions necessary for justice are preserved. Numerous convictions and cases– including a recent landmark case in Sweden that was made possible through cooperation with the IIIM – underscore Mechanism’s pivotal role in supporting justice.
The Mechanism’s commitment to a victim-centered justice process is commendable. Its ongoing engagement with victims, survivors, and Syrian civil society ensures that those affected are treated as essential participants. Efforts to include gender-responsive analysis and youth perspectives further strengthen the Mechanism’s inclusiveness and legitimacy.
We note with appreciation the Mechanism’s commitment to enhancing efficiency and prioritization, which aligns closely with the objectives of the UN80 initiative. At the same time, we note with concern that the Mechanism’s resources have not increased since 2020, despite a growing workload and expanding demands. In this regard, we underscore that the Mechanism should be provided with adequate and sustainable resources from the United Nations regular budget to enable it to fully and effectively implement its mandate.
Accountability for serious violations of international law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, is a precondition for sustainable peace and development. Perpetrators of atrocity crimes must be brought to justice. Not only to ensure justice for victims, but also to prevent and deter future violations. The Nordic-Baltic countries’ support to the Mechanism and its indispensable work to achieve justice and fight against impunity remains firm.