Governments must act urgently to find people who have been the subject of “enforced disappearances” and ensure the crime is properly investigated, according to a group of UN human rights experts.
Marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 30th August, the UN experts released a statement saying relatives of those who have “disappeared” have a right “to know the truth about the circumstances of any enforced disappearance, the whereabouts of their loved ones, the progress and results of the investigation, and ultimately the fate of the disappeared person”.
“Measures to achieve truth and justice for enforced disappearances should be parallel and go hand-in-hand. There is no truth without justice and no justice without truth.”
Suela Janina, chair of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, said states that are parties to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance should ensure searches are carried out for those who have disappeared as well as develop policies to facilitate searches “in close consultation with relatives of the disappeared person”.
“The authorities in charge of the search should be independent and have sufficient human and financial resources; they should properly coordinate the search and have unrestricted access to all information relevant to locate the disappeared person,” she said.
“The authorities in charge of the search should always allow for the full participation of relatives or their representatives, who should be regularly informed of progress and be protected from security risks. The duty to search is permanent and continues until the fate and whereabouts, of those who have disappeared are determined.”
The experts have called for states to create a specific offence of “enforced disappearance”, saying that investigating and prosecuting enforced disappearances is highly problematic as it may result in delays and inefficiencies.
