International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2023, 30 August

The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed every year on August 30. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the global crime of enforced disappearance. Enforced disappearance is the arrest, detention, abduction or other deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or to give information on the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, with the intention of removing them from the protection of the law.

Enforced disappearance is a serious violation of human rights. It is a crime against humanity and a war crime. It is a form of torture and a cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. There are millions of victims of enforced disappearances around the world. They are from all walks of life and from all countries. They are men, women and children. They are disappeared by governments, armed groups, and other actors.

The families of the disappeared are also victims. They live in a state of constant uncertainty and fear. They do not know where their loved ones are or what has happened to them. They are often denied access to justice and reparations.

The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is an opportunity to raise awareness about this crime and to demand justice for the victims and their families. It is also an opportunity to call on governments to take action to prevent enforced disappearances and to bring those responsible to justice.

The significance of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is to:

• Raise awareness about the crime of enforced disappearance.
• Demand justice for the victims and their families.
• Call on governments to take action to prevent enforced disappearances.
• Support organizations that work with the families of the disappeared.

The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is an important day to remember the victims of this crime and to demand justice for them. Let us all work together to end enforced disappearances and to bring those responsible to justice.

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances History

The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. The date, August 30, was chosen to commemorate the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos, a Filipino human rights activist who was abducted by state forces in 2007.

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, defines enforced disappearance as the arrest, detention, abduction or other deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or to give information on the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, with the intention of removing them from the protection of the law.

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