United Nations adopts Syrian initiative to honor women searching for the missing

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution, initiated by Syria, to designate December 19 of each year as the ‘International Day to Honor Women Searching for the Missing’. The resolution calls on member states and relevant stakeholders to observe this day through activities that highlight the efforts of women seeking missing persons and the consequences they face.

The resolution encourages the UN system and member states to take concrete measures to prevent and end all forms of discrimination and violence against these women, ensuring their full enjoyment of human rights. It also urges the inclusion of women searching for the missing in ongoing discussions and decision-making processes regarding this issue.

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ibrahim al-Albi, described the adoption as a ‘historic moment’ that demonstrates the international community’s support for justice and human dignity. He noted that this marks a shift for Syria, moving from a period where such suffering was denied to one of transparency and international mobilization. This is the first resolution presented by Syria to the General Assembly following the removal of the Bashar al-Assad regime.