The first meeting of the States parties to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was held on 31 May 2011 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The main purpose of the meeting was to elect 10 members of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances.

To preside over the first meeting of States parties, the Meeting elected Mr. Jorge Martín Arturo Argüello (Argentina) as Chairperson of the Meeting, as well as the following three Vice Chairs: Mr. Hamid Al Bayati (Iraq); Ms. Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen (France) and Ms. Admira Jorgji (Albania).

In accordance with article 26 of the Convention, States parties elected 10 members of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances by secret ballot.

Results

The following candidates were elected:

In accordance with article 26, paragraph 4, the following candidates whose names were chosen by lot will serve for a period of two years only:

• Mr. Mohammed Al-Obaidi (Iraq)
• Mr. Luciano Hazan (Argentina)
• Mr. Juan José López Ortega (Spain)
• Mr. Enoch Mulembe (Zambia)
• Mr. Kimio Yakushiji (Japan)

The remaining elected candidates will serve for four years.

A panel discussion entitled ‘The International Convention on Enforced Disappearances: ending impunity and preventing new victims’, was conducted under agenda item 7. The aim of the panel discussion was to raise the visibility and promote ratification of the Convention.

Further information

• Provisional Agenda CED/SP/1/1
• Rules of Procedure CED/SP/1/2
• Curricula Vitae of Candidates CED/SP/1/2
• Addendum CED/SP/1/2/Add.1
• Summary record CED/SP/SR/1/2011