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 dedicated to raising awareness about the heinous crime of enforced disappearances and its impact on both the victims and their families. Enforced disappearance occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization, often followed by a refusal to acknowledge the person's fate and whereabouts. This observance seeks to raise awareness about the need for initiatives and laws that prevent these unlawful abductions and safeguard the rights of those affected.

The United Nations General Assembly declared this observance in December 2010, recognizing the increasing number of enforced or involuntary disappearances worldwide. In the United States, this day is especially relevant in cases involving missing and murdered indigenous women, as well as migrant families who have been separated at the border and subjected to these nefarious practices. This observance serves as a reminder to people in America to address these issues and work together in promoting human rights and the rule of law.

In the United States, International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is commemorated by various events and activities organized by human rights groups, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens. These may include panel discussions, conferences, artistic performances, and social media campaigns, focusing on raising awareness about enforced disappearances and honoring the victims and their families. International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed annually on August 30th, providing Americans with an opportunity to advocate for human rights and take action against this grave injustice.

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.
• Enforced disappearances violate a range of human rights including:
  1) The right to security and dignity of person
  2) The right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
  3) The right to humane conditions of detention
  4) The right to a fair trial
  5) The right to life (if the disappeared person is killed or their fate is unknown).

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

Top things to do in the US 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.
• Watch a movie or documentary that depicts the horrors of human trafficking. Here are some examples:
  Sex Trafficking in America (2019)
  Priceless (2016)
  The Whistleblower (2010)
• Some countries establish truth commissions or similar mechanisms to investigate and document human rights violations, including enforced disappearances. Keep an eye on their reports and publications, as they often provide in-depth information about the victims, their backgrounds, and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
• Read books, academic articles, and reports that specifically address the issue of enforced disappearances. Look for reliable sources that provide historical context, case studies, and analysis of the victims and their experiences.

References