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United Nations A/71/755 General Assembly Distr.: General 19 January 2017 Original: English 17-00808 (E) 260117 *1700808* Seventy-first session Agenda item 31 Prevention of armed conflict Implementation of the resolution establishing the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 Report of the Secretary-General Summary The present report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 71/248, by which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to report, within 45 days of the adoption of the resolution, on its implementation. Outlined in the present report are the terms of reference of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011, including its mandate, methodology, legal framework, protection of victims and witnesses, composition and funding. Also set out are the steps envisaged to ensure the speedy establishment and full functioning of the Mechanism