www.amnesty.org
UN drafts new treaty against 'disappearances'
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world remain "disappeared". They were arrested or abducted by state agents, but governments deny holding them. New cases are recorded in dozens of countries each year.
"Disappearances" cause extreme agony for victims and their relatives. Often the victims are tortured or killed. Their relatives are unable to find out whether their loved ones are alive or dead.
After more than two decades of campaigning by organizations of relatives of the "disappeared", the UN Commission on Human Rights has begun drafting an international treaty against "enforced disappearance" - the UN term for "disappearances". As currently discussed, the draft treaty would include measures for preventing "disappearances", bringing perpetrators to justice and affording reparation to victims. Also under discussion is an urgent judicial remedy which relatives could invoke to discover victims' whereabouts and ensure their well-being.
The working group's next formal session will be in January 2004. AI is calling for the speedy adoption of a treaty giving strong protection against "enforced disappearance".
UN drafts new treaty against 'disappearances'
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world remain "disappeared". They were arrested or abducted by state agents, but governments deny holding them. New cases are recorded in dozens of countries each year.
"Disappearances" cause extreme agony for victims and their relatives. Often the victims are tortured or killed. Their relatives are unable to find out whether their loved ones are alive or dead.
After more than two decades of campaigning by organizations of relatives of the "disappeared", the UN Commission on Human Rights has begun drafting an international treaty against "enforced disappearance" - the UN term for "disappearances". As currently discussed, the draft treaty would include measures for preventing "disappearances", bringing perpetrators to justice and affording reparation to victims. Also under discussion is an urgent judicial remedy which relatives could invoke to discover victims' whereabouts and ensure their well-being.
The working group's next formal session will be in January 2004. AI is calling for the speedy adoption of a treaty giving strong protection against "enforced disappearance".
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