By Emily Bare / GICJ 

Worldwide cases of enforced disappearance are still pervasive. Emily Bare and Martin Browne of GICJ welcomed the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances latest report on the issue (A/HRC/51/31). They called for States governments to fully engage and cooperate with the Working Group in helping to identify victims of enforced disappearances, specifically in Iraq. 

On 20 September 2022, during the 51st session of the HRC, the Working Group discussed its activities connected to enforced disappearances from 22 May 2021 to 13 May 2022.

Mr. Luciano Hazan, the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group, considered its transmission of 375 new cases of enforced disappearance to 26 states and 19 urgent appeals concerning the forcibly disappeared in 16 states. Mr. Hazan acknowledged that the report is not conclusive of all the enforced disappearances that surely happen worldwide. 

The Working Group welcomed the recent visits to Cyprus and Uruguay in April and July of this year, respectively. However, it remains concerned by the lack of engagement and cooperation from several countries. It noted that it has become increasingly difficult to receive positive replies to its requests for country visits and invited all States that have received a request for a visit to respond favourably in accordance with HRC resolution 21/4.

Specific issues of concern focused on the lack of investigation regarding the disappeared, enforced disappearance being used as a repressive measure, lack of accountability for perpetrators, and the targeting of journalists and protestors. 

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) implores State governments to implement the ICPPED into its domestic law and disseminate its purpose to the public.

HRC51, Human Rights Council, Enforced Disappearances, Human Rights Violations, Working Group, Iraq, Justice, Human Rights, Geneva, Geneva4justice, GICJ, International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, Geneva International Centre for Justice.