Damascus, Syria– The European Union has welcomed the formation of two new Syrian committees focused on transitional justice and the fate of missing persons, calling it a step toward addressing key humanitarian and legal issues.
Micheal Ohnmacht, the EU’s chargé d’affaires to Syria, praised the move in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, saying the creation of both bodies was an important step in addressing crucial files on the path toward comprehensive justice in Syria.
He added that the European Union is closely monitoring these developments and hopes the newly formed committees will work transparently and cooperatively with Syrian civil society and international human rights organizations.
“The EU stands ready to cooperate in this regard, if officially requested,” Ohnmacht noted.
Related: Qatari Mission Begins Search for Remains of Americans Executed by ISIS in Syria
On Saturday, Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, issued two presidential decrees: one establishing a National Commission for the Missing and another forming a National Committee on Transitional Justice.
The Missing Persons Commission has been granted legal and financial autonomy and will operate across Syrian territory. Its responsibilities include investigating cases of enforced disappearance, compiling national data, and offering legal and humanitarian support to affected families.
Mohammad Ridha Jalkhi was appointed to head the commission, with a mandate to form a working group and draft internal procedures within 30 days.
The Transitional Justice Committee, announced simultaneously, will be tasked with examining wartime abuses and supporting legal accountability mechanisms.
The developments come as EU member states are reportedly debating a partial lifting of sanctions against Syria ahead of their annual renewal deadline on June 1.
Related: Arab Recognition of Damascus: Insights from Former Egyptian Ambassador Abdel Rahman Salah
According to a Reuters report last week, a draft proposal circulated by Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Austria outlines the possibility of easing restrictions to allow funding to Syrian ministries tied to reconstruction, migration, capacity-building, and counterterrorism — particularly within the transitional government framework.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has reportedly endorsed the proposal as part of broader discussions around Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction and political transition.
