World Congress on Enforced Disappearances

Event

The Geneva Human Rights Platform is a partner in the first edition of this congress following the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance that will take place in Geneva on the 15-16 January. 

Time for Collective Action

Enforced disappearance remains widespread across the world, with devastating repercussions on entire societies. Following decades of mobilization to prevent and eliminate this heinous human rights violation, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (the Convention) was adopted in 2006, thanks to the tireless efforts of states, associations of victims, human rights NGOs, and experts.

Over the past 15 years, the number of states parties to the Convention has increased from 20 to 76. However, universal ratification and implementation remain far from achieved, and enforced disappearance continues to persist.

It is time to join forces and intensify efforts in the global fight against enforced disappearance.

Objectives

Nearly 20 years after the adoption of the Convention, the World Congress aims to create an opportunity for concrete and ambitious commitments to eradicate enforced disappearance everywhere in the world, putting victims’ voices and rights at the core of the strategy. The World Congress aims to:

• Raise awareness of what enforced disappearance is, its extent, and its impact worldwide.
• Place families and civil society back at the center of joint efforts.
• Promote intergovernmental dialogue, exchanges of experiences, and good practices.
• Present an action plan for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance and encourage concerned actors to submit pledges.
• Initiate a process of direct cooperation and coordination between various actors.

Expected Results

• The international community is further mobilized to protect all persons from enforced disappearance.
• Actors engaged in the global fight against enforced disappearance submit pledges related to the proposed action plan.
• All concerned actors are better connected to foster synergies against enforced disappearance.

Lasting Positive Impact

The multi-actor dialogue and exchange process initiated with the World Congress aims to achieve a lasting positive impact on the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance. Follow-up activities may include:

• Enhanced technical assistance to states and CSOs on ratification and implementation of the Convention.
• Organization of events to address issues of common interest related to the fight against enforced disappearances.
• Strengthened capacity-building to ensure participation of families and victims’ associations in relevant international and national processes (e.g., submission of reports, participation in ratification campaigns, drafting legislation, strengthening search mechanisms and forensic processes).