Responsibility for missing persons is “crucial”: the UN Head of Human Rights

This is one of the alarming updates that Volker Türk divided during the General Assembly on Wednesday, the first informal meeting dedicated to the question of thousands that disappear after targeting after targeting each year.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights The invited Member States to do more to address the growth of “unseen” in disappearances, largely guided by armed conflict and growing neglect for international humanitarian law.

“Persistent impunity for violating the international humanitarian law of the fuel of more abuse“” Said delegates, invited the crisis “huge”.

Although the meeting focused on missing persons in armed conflicts, today the disappearances are also connected to the state repression, measures of contrast, migration and the targeting of dissidents and human rights defenders.

“It is precisely in the circumstances of the conflict, instability and repression that people are likely to miss,” Mr. Türk emphasized. “Responsibility for these offenses is crucial.”

Echoes this feeling, President of the General AssemblyPhilémon Yang, he insisted: “We have a moral responsibility for determining and finding each missing person.“

‘Top of very large iceberg’

Working group about forced and unwilling disappearances has maned More than 62,000 cases in 115 countries in the last 45 years. “Unfortunately, this is just the top of a very large iceberg,” Mr. Türk said.

Mr. Yang expressed that these figures demand “to take decisive steps to reduce hardship and distress.”

The High Commissioner pointed out a recent momentum in solving problems, including this year’s non-organized World Congress on forced disappearancesWhere governments, civil society and victims gathered in the show of global solidarity.

Call for stronger frames

Mr. Türk expressed three key areas for action, starting with the need to strengthen and implement international human rights frameworks.

Called on states to ratify and implement International Convention for the Protection of All Persons of Forced DisappearanceAdopted in 2006. and described as a “key global agreement” on the issue. Only 77 countries have ratified so far.

The Convention guarantees the right to the knowledge of the truth about the fate and where the disappeared persons and the progress of the investigation – “exactly what is needed and require family members“Mr. Türk said.

“We need to continue justice and other forms of responsibility,” Mr. Türk continued, pointing to a wide impunity as a major obstacle to the victims.

“For families, responsibility begins with the knowledge of the truth about the fate of their loved ones, no matter how they disappeared“He said.

He called states to investigate the cases thoroughly, the perpetrators of justice and build forensic, judicial and law enforcement institutions to ensure appropriate identification.

The center of the victims

Mr. Türk said that the installation of victims in the heart of the answer was crucial. He stressed the critical role of the family, Especially women, which often lead the search for the loved ones in insecure and dangerous circumstances.

“In some cases, the law prevents them from receiving the documents necessary to achieve their health, education or property,” Mr. Türk remarked, which leaves them with stigmatized and risk of falling in poverty.

Family members are often ignored, injustice or intimidate in silence. “They must feel the ability – and secure – to speak for their missing relatives, in the country and abroad,” Mr. Türk insisted.

Momentum for changes

International efforts can make a real differencesaid a high commissioner, referencing recent creation Independent institution for missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republicestablished to clarify the fate of missing in the country and supporting the survivors and their families.

In February, the head of the institution visited Damascus and met dozens of families – some of which were for the first time they asked their missing loved ones.

‘Our common humanity requires it’

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Türk confirmed the commitment of his victim support office and help states fulfill their obligations.

Ohchr It continues to promote the ratifications and implementation of the Convention, monitoring certain cases and connecting victims with UN human rights mechanisms.

“We all have a role to play” He said. “We must commit ourselves together to work more for truth and justice, in solidarity with victims everywhere. Our common humanity requires.“