New Publication Takes Stock of the Achievements and Jurisprudence of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances

14 September 2021

Ten years after the entry into force of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, The Work of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances takes stock of what the United Nations (UN) Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) – in charge of monitoring the implementation of the Convention – has achieved and details its jurisprudence as it stands today.

From Disappearances Committed by Non-State Actors to the Right to Truth

Since its establishment ten years ago, the CED has progressively constructed its jurisprudence in the context of the examination of states’ reports, by addressing urgent action requests and individual complaints, and in daily support of victims and civil society organizations in the eradication and prevention of enforced disappearance.

Authored by Maria Clara Galvis Patiño – Professor of International Human Rights Law and a former CED member –, the publication details the CED’s jurisprudence on 32 issues and topics, including transnational disappearances, disappearances committed by non-State actors, the duty to investigate, the duty to search, the prohibition of secret detention, the right to truth, participation of victims in procedures or the gender dimension of the Convention.

‘This comprehensive presentation of our Committee’s jurisprudence and achievements is an excellent tool to show in detail how its work has developed. It can and should be used by ministries, civil society, judiciaries, and other actors alike in the daily struggle to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearances in every corner of the earth’ says Barbara Lochbihler, a Member of CED and rapporteur on this publication.

Niger,  Yola, internally displaced settlement. A photo of a missing person.

Launch at the CED

The publication was presented by the CED Chair Mohammed Ayat at the opening of the Committee’s 21st session that takes place in Geneva from 13 to 24 September 2021. A number of launch events are planned, both in presence and online, to ensure worldwide dissemination of the publication over the coming months.

Part of the Geneva Human Rights Platform’s Support to UN Treaty Bodies

This publication forms part of the Geneva Human Rights Platform’s support to UN treaty bodies via its Treaty Body Members’ Platform, a unique tool that connects experts in UN TBs with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

‘For us, coordinating this publication is a perfect opportunity to confirm our support to the CED. The Geneva Human Rights Platform is precisely designed to enhance the functionality, but also the outreach and visibility of the Geneva-based UN human rights mechanisms, to which this new publication will greatly contribute’ explains Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Participants in the training course News

Training Boosts Geneva Diplomats’ Expertise in UN Human Rights Council

23 January 2024

Our Geneva Human Rights Platform offered, in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a three-day executive training course for Geneva-based diplomats on  the functioning of UN human rights mechanisms and negotiation practices at the multilateral level.

Read more

world map in data lines News

New Publication Explores the Human Rights Data Revolution

2 April 2024

The Human Rights Data Revolution details the transformation which promises to enhance the effectiveness, inclusivity, and scope of human rights monitoring and implementation worldwide.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

2-20 September 2024

Participants in this training course, made of two modules, will examine the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights and the environment, familiarizing themselves with the respective implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

Un plate with Rapporteur Spécial written on it Project

Support to UN Special Procedures

Started in June 2020

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2023

published on July 2024

Read more