UN experts on enforced disappearances study over 200 cases during current session

Independent United Nations human rights experts on enforced or involuntary disappearances reviewed more than 200 cases concerning over 30 countries during the session that ended today.

The five-member UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances also reviewed responses from various Governments to prompt intervention letters, urgent appeals and general allegations during the session, which began on Monday.

The panel held meetings with representatives of the Governments of Algeria, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to exchange views on individual cases and on the issue of enforced disappearance in general.

It also met with non-governmental organizations and family members of disappeared individuals. Members of the Working Group also held informal bilateral meetings with States to exchange information with a view to enhancing cooperation. During the session, the Group’s official mission to Pakistan was confirmed for September 2012.

In the session, the Working Group discussed two draft general comments on the provisions of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance with regard to the impact of enforced disappearance on women and children.

The Group examined cases concerning Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Colombia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Georgia, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Created in 1980, the Working Group currently comprises Chair-Rapporteur Olivier de Frouville (France); Ariel Dulitzky (Argentina); Jasminka Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina); Osman El-Hajjé (Lebanon), and Jeremy Sarkin (South Africa).

Its members are independent and report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.