United Nations Experts to study around 400 cases of enforced disappearances from almost 40 countries

12 March 2012

The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances* started reviewing about 400 cases of enforced disappearances, including recently submitted information on previously accepted cases, and other communications concerning almost 40 countries.

The independent experts will hold meetings with Government delegations and civil society representatives, including family members of those who have disappeared, to exchange views on individual cases under consideration and on the phenomenon of enforced disappearances in general.

The Working Group will, in addition, examine allegations submitted by sources regarding obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and hold discussions on past and potential country visits, as well as future activities.

The Working Group’s 96th session is taking place from 12-16 March, at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Headquarters in Geneva.

(*) The Working Group is comprised of five independent experts from all regions of the world. The Chair-Rapporteur is Mr. Olivier de Frouville (France) and the other members are Mr. Ariel Dulitzky (Argentina), Ms. Jasminka Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Mr. Osman El-Hajjé (Lebanon), and Mr. Jeremy Sarkin (South Africa).

The Working Group was established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1980 to assist families in determining the fate and whereabouts of disappeared relatives. It endeavours to establish a channel of communication between the families and the Governments concerned, to ensure that individual cases are investigated, with the objective of clarifying the whereabouts of persons who, having disappeared, are placed outside the protection of the law. In view of the Working Group's humanitarian mandate, clarification occurs when the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person are clearly established. The Working Group continues to address cases of disappearances until they are resolved. It also provides assistance in the implementation by States of the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

For more information on the Working Group, log on to: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/disappear/index.htm

How to submit cases to the Working Group?: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/disappear/docs/Communication_form_E.doc

For more information and media requests: Mr. Matías Pellado (+41 22 917 9336 / mpellado@ohchr.org)

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, OHCHR Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)

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For use of the information media; not an official record