The international Alliance for Peace and Development condemns enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity

In conjunction with international day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, International Alliance for Peace and Development expressed its deep concern about the increase in enforced or involuntary disappearances in various regions of the world, including arrest, detention and abduction.  Enforced disappearance has become a global problem and is not restricted to a specific region of the world. Once largely the product of military dictatorships, enforced disappearances can nowadays be perpetrated in complex situations of internal conflict, especially as a means of political repression of opponents.

The International Alliance condemns enforced disappearance as disappeared persons are at high risk of torture because they are completely outside the protection of the law, with no access to legal defense, and are at increased risk from other human rights violations, such as sexual violence or even murder. So, the International Alliance considers that enforced disappearance undermines the most profound values of any society committed to respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and that the systematic practice of such acts constitutes a crime against humanity.

Enforced disappearance under international law is detention, abduction or any act that deprives a person of his or her liberty, by an authority, or by persons acting with its support or authorization, without acknowledging the abduction of that person. This is followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or to conceal the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, thereby depriving him of the protection of the law.

On the sidelines of the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council on 11 September 2019, the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances will present cases to the international community to address them  in a public interactive dialogue.

The International Alliance urges all States to sign, ratify or accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, international Alliance also calls on States around the world to urgently seek out persons who have been subjected to enforced disappearance, and to prosecute and punish those involved and also have a duty to provide remedies to its victims. And Alliance recommends that all states shall take the necessary measures to ensure that enforced disappearance constitutes an offence under its criminal law.