Observed annually on 30 August, the International Day of Enforced Disappearances raises awareness about individuals who are secretly imprisoned or go missing, with their fate or whereabouts concealed from relatives or legal representatives. The day emphasizes human rights, international humanitarian law, and the families’ right to know about their loved ones.
Background
- The initiative was first proposed by the Latin American Federation of Associations for Relatives of Detained-Disappeared (FEDEFAM), a Costa Rica–based NGO founded in 1981.
- FEDEFAM worked to combat forced disappearances, secret imprisonment, and abductions in Latin American countries.
- Over the years, observance supported by international organizations like Amnesty International, OHCHR, and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
ICRC’s Role
- Due to its neutrality and special sovereign status, ICRC is sometimes the only agency granted access to secret detainees.
- It facilitates family contact, ensures minimum monitoring of prisoners’ treatment, and helps relatives cope with psychological, social, legal, and financial challenges.
- Beyond enforced disappearances, ICRC also helps trace people missing due to wars, conflicts, natural disasters, or migration.
UN Involvement
- In 1992, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Resolution 47/133).
- The OHCHR Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has recorded around 46,000 disappearance cases worldwide.
- Currently, around 30 countries reportedly practice secret imprisonment.
Global Campaigns & Events
- 2007 (Philippines): Families of missing activists (desaparecidos) protested on August 30. Edita Burgos highlighted the case of her missing son, Jonas.
- 2008: The International Coalition against Enforced Disappearances launched a global campaign to promote ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Significance
- Highlights violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
- Calls on governments to respect families’ right to know the fate of missing persons.
- Provides global momentum for policy reforms and ratification of conventions protecting individuals against enforced disappearances.