The United Nations National Assembly adopted a resolution to establish a mechanism investigating the war crimes committed in Syria. The decree was supported by 105 states, opposed by 15, whilst 52 countries abstained from voting.
The resolution has set a precedent, being the first time in which a mechanism for investigation in a particular country has been set up without the agreement of the country concerned.
The text of the resolution stated that Thursday morning would witness the creation of an “international independent and partisan mechanism to aid the in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious war crimes- according to international law- which were committed in the Syrian Arabic Republic since March 2011, under the supervision of the United Nations and in close cooperation with the International Independent Investigation Committee concerning the Syrian Arab Republic, to draw and assemble and preserve and analyse evidence of violations of international and humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights. The mechanism would also prepare files to speed up impartial and independent criminal investigations, according to the norms of international law as well as national, regional and international courts which may be specialised in dealing with these crimes according to international law”.
The resolution calls upon the General Secretary to take the necessary steps and procedures to set up, fund and start this international mechanism.