International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is an annual event aimed at honouring the memory of those who have been forcibly disappeared and recognising the ongoing suffering of their families and loved ones. It raises awareness about this heinous practice, which constitutes a grave violation of human rights, and seeks to promote justice and support for the affected persons. The day also serves as a reminder to nations to adopt and implement necessary measures to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearances, in adherence to international human rights laws and standards.

The United Nations General Assembly declared August 30th as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances in December 2010, with the United Kingdom and other member states backing the resolution. In the UK context, the day is an opportunity to express solidarity and concern for, raise awareness of, and critically engage with the issue of enforced disappearances, both nationally and internationally. It is particularly pertinent for the UK to advocate for humanitarian principles and the rights of individuals affected by enforced disappearances, and more broadly, for the universal application of human rights.

In the United Kingdom, the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed through various activities such as seminars, workshops, and awareness campaigns. These events are organised by non-government organisations, human rights groups, and other stakeholders, promoting the observance to different sectors of society. As knowledge and awareness are essential for prevention, the UK's engagement on this day serves as a valuable platform to promote rights-based approaches and the international effort against enforced disappearances. The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed on August 30th in the United Kingdom as well as around the world.

Facts about Victims of Enforced Disappearances

• The UN Working Group has recorded more than 59,000 cases of enforced disappearances across 110 countries since 1980, including 651 new cases originating in 30 countries in its most recent annual report.
• More than 46,000 cases of enforced disappearances remain unresolved.
• One of the cruelest aspects of enforced disappearances is the prolonged uncertainty experienced by the families of the disappeared, who often spend years or even decades not knowing whether their loved ones are alive or dead.
• The Troubles, a period of violent conflict in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to the late 1990s, saw several cases of enforced disappearances involving paramilitary groups and state security forces. At least 16 people were disappeared and became known as The Disappeared. Their cases are still investigated by the ICLVR.
• The UK has been accused of complicity in the rendition and detention of individuals as part of the global war on terror. Rendition is a controversial practice involving the secret delivery of individuals from one country to another to face interrogation and detention, often without legal safeguards.

In the News and Trending in the UK for International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

Top things to do in the UK for this observance

• Watch the UN's International Day of the Victims of Forced Disappearances video. It shows how hundreds of thousands of people have vanished from over 80 countries around the world.
• Learn how to stand up for the disappeared. The UN's campaign details how to spot a person who may be the victim of an abduction or kidnapping. It advises what to do should you witness such an event.
• Learn more about the Missing Persons Bureau. It is a division of the National Crime Agency that works to locate missing persons and to identify unidentified remains. The bureau works to investigate cases of enforced disappearances.
• Several museums throughout the UK commemorate victims of enforced disappearances, such as the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, the Irish Republican History Museum in Belfast, and the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.