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The suffering of the families of the victims of enforced disappearance does not end
On August 30 of each year, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Enforced Disappearances with the aim of shedding light on the suffering of the victims and putting pressure on governments accused of practicing this illegal behavior, while trying to find ways to help victims and their families.
In 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted an International Convention for the Protection of Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which was signed by 93 countries, ratified by 50 and entered into force in 2010.
Enforced disappearance is defined, according to article two of the International Convention, as “the arrest, detention, kidnapping or any form of deprivation of liberty which takes place at the hands of agents of the State or of persons or groups of individuals who act with the permission or support of the state or with its consent, and is followed by denial of recognition. By depriving a person of their liberty or by hiding the fate or whereabouts of the missing person, which deprives them of the protection of the law. >>
Regarding the purpose of the practice of enforced disappearances, the United Nations states: “Enforced disappearance is frequently used as a strategic method to spread terror in society. The feeling of insecurity that results from this practice is not limited to the relatives of the missing, but also affects their local population groups and their society as a whole.
Who are threatened with enforced disappearance?
In his message on the International Day for Victims of Enforced Disappearances, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said: “The crime of enforced disappearance is spreading around the world. defenders, who are mostly indigenous peoples. “
Guterres added: “In the past, this phenomenon was mainly the product of military dictatorships, today enforced disappearances can take place under complex circumstances of internal conflict, or be used in particular as a means of political pressure on opponents.” .
Amnesty International considers that “human rights defenders, the families of people who have already disappeared, the main witnesses and lawyers are specific targets of enforced disappearances”.
The same organization adds: “Families and friends of missing persons suffer from slow psychological disorders; they do not know if their son, daughter, mother or father is still alive, or where he is being held or how he is being treated. The search because the truth can endanger the family. “Quite a great danger.”
The phenomenon of enforced disappearances is not limited to specific countries or regions. The practices of enforced disappearance are widespread in many countries around the world, especially in non-democratic countries, and are used to terrorize opponents.
Where is the law on enforced disappearances? How to help the victims?
Since entering into force in 2010, the International Convention for the Protection of Persons from Enforced Disappearance aims to prevent enforced disappearances, reveal the truth and ensure justice for victims, survivors and their families, as well as punish those responsible and give victims compensation.
Although many human rights organizations have confirmed the increase in the number of forcibly missing persons, the figures announced remain lower than the real figures, given the difficulty of carrying out an accurate registration and counting, in particular in the light of repressive regimes which deny the practice of enforced disappearances. , and things get more difficult in areas of armed conflict, which witness all kinds of human rights violations.
According to United Nations statistics, “hundreds of thousands of people have disappeared during conflicts or periods of repression in at least 85 countries around the world.”
International and local human rights organizations warn that “states use counterterrorism activities as a pretext to violate their obligations, and that perpetrators of enforced disappearances continue to enjoy widespread impunity.”
The suffering of families is further exacerbated by the financial consequences of enforced disappearance, as the forcibly disappeared person is often the family’s main breadwinner. The families of the victims, in addition to psychological help, incur additional financial burdens if they decide to search for the missing person.
Victims of enforced disappearance need medical assistance, whether in recording the bodily injuries or damage to health they suffered during the period of their enforced disappearance, in order to provide assistance. medical necessary as well as for the purposes of proving a claim against those responsible. Likewise, victims and their families need psychological support to help them overcome the negative psychological effects of forced detention.
Are your societies witnessing the phenomenon of enforced disappearances?
Why do some regimes resort to the practice of enforced disappearance?
How can you help victims of enforced disappearance?
How can those responsible for the crime of enforced disappearance be held accountable?
We will discuss these and other topics with you in the Monday August 31 episode of the Dialogue Point program at 16:06 GMT.
Communication lines open half an hour before the program at 00442038752989.
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