UN Human Rights Council Appoints New Members to Syria Inquiry Commission
The United Nations Human Rights Council has appointed two new members to the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria: Tunisian magistrate and international expert in human rights and humanitarian law, Monia Ammar, and Irish academic and researcher in international law, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin.
Background
The two new members will join the Commission's president, Brazilian Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, replacing former members Hany Megally from Egypt and Lynn Welchman from the UK. The Human Rights Council created the Commission of Inquiry on Syria on August 22, 2011, to investigate crimes and violations committed in the country since the outbreak of protests in March 2011, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Mandate and Responsibilities
The Council has repeatedly extended the Commission's mandate, with the latest extension being for an additional year, under Resolution 58/25, adopted on April 4, 2025. The Commission will continue its work of documenting violations and presenting reports, within the framework of its international mandate, as one of the main UN mechanisms responsible for accountability for crimes committed in Syria over the past decade.
Monia Ammar's Professional Career
Monia Ammar's professional career spans nearly four decades. She has held the position of First-Class Magistrate at the Court of Cassation in Tunisia. In 2007, she was elected President of the Committee of Independent Arab Experts of the Arab League, and in 2010, she became President of the Committee on International Humanitarian Law of the Arab Woman, under the Arab Women's Organization.
- From 2014 to 2016, she served as Regional Coordinator for International Humanitarian Law for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Cairo.
- In 2019, she founded the Arab Center for International Law in Tunis, a center dedicated to legal research, training, and advocacy in the fields of human rights and international humanitarian law.
- Monia Ammar is also a writer and trainer, having contributed to the writing of numerous articles and co-authored books on human rights, women's rights, and workers' rights.
- Her expertise covers gender equality, combating violence against women, transitional justice, and rights-based governance.
- She has collaborated extensively with UN agencies, regional organizations, and civil society networks to promote legal reforms and strengthen human rights protection.
Conclusion
The appointment of Monia Ammar and Fionnuala Ní Aoláin to the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria reflects the UN's commitment to ensuring accountability for human rights violations and crimes committed in the country. With their expertise and experience, the Commission will continue to play a crucial role in documenting and reporting on human rights abuses in Syria, with the ultimate goal of promoting justice and accountability for victims and their families.
