August 31, 2009 - The Daily Star - Lebanon Enforced disappearances Day

Enforced disappearances a 'human tragedy' say UN group

BEIRUT: “It is vital to draw more attention to the issue of enforced disappearances as it still remains severely underreported, particularly in certain regions of the world,” said Jeremy Sarkin, chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances. Sarkin made his remarks as he presented the Group’s statement to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared on August 30.
“In spite of that,” stressed Sarkin, “the Working Group has dealt with more than 50,000 cases since it was established in 1980,” highlighting the group’s concern over the growing number of cases of enforced disappearances around the world.

According to the group of UN independent experts, enforced disappearance is a terrible practice that “affects many people worldwide, and has a particular impact on women and children.” Women particularly often bear the brunt of the serious economic hardships “that accompany a disappearance.”

“When women are victims of disappearance themselves, they are particularly vulnerable to sexual and other forms of violence.” In addition, say the experts, “the disappearance of a child, or the loss of a parent as a consequence of enforced disappearance are serious violations of the rights of the child.”

In its statement commemorating the International Day of the Disappeared, the UN Working Group also raises its concern at the measures being taken by governments while countering terrorism and the implications for enforced disappearances, and stressed that arrests committed during military operations, arbitrary detentions and extraordinary renditions “can amount to enforced disappearances.”

The five independent experts asked states to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearances, and to take specific measures to promote truth and reconciliation in their societies. However, the experts stressed, “these measures ought not to be used as a substitute for bringing perpetrators particularly of enforced disappearances, to justice.”

The Working Group called upon governments that have not signed and/or ratified the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance to do so as soon as possible: – The Daily Star