The UN’s International Impartial and Independent Mechanism Investigating Serious Crimes in Syria (IIIM) was set up by the UN in 2016 to help investigate and assist with prosecutions of violations of international law taking place in Syria since 2011.

In the post-Assad era, prosecutions have also begun within Syria. A historic verdict delivered recently by a Damascus court handed down death sentences against eight senior officials, seven of them in absentia, and various shortcomings in fair trial standards have been highlighted by human rights groups. Under UN rules, the verdict has effectively frozen the IIIM’s ability to share criminal evidence files with domestic Syrian prosecutors.

Despite this development, IIIM’s core objectives remain unchanged.

Earlier in 2026, the IBA’s Director of Content James Lewis spoke to the IIIM’s Director, Robert Petit, about its mission, achievements and challenges.

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