Forced disappearance

Forced disappearance or enforced disappearance is a form of human rights violation where individuals are secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the person's fate and whereabouts, with the intent of placing the victim outside the protection of the law.

Definition

The practice of forced disappearance has been used as a strategy to spread terror within the society. The feeling of insecurity generated by this practice is not limited to the close relatives of the disappeared, but also affects their communities and society as a whole.

History

Forced disappearances were first recognized as a violation of human rights in the 20th century, during the Dirty War in Argentina, where the military government abducted and killed suspected dissidents without any legal process. Since then, various governments and military regimes around the world have used this tactic for similar purposes.

International Law

Under international law, forced disappearance is considered a crime against humanity. The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to explicitly prohibit this practice and make it an international crime.

Consequences

The consequences of forced disappearances are profound. Families of the disappeared experience deep psychological trauma due to the uncertainty of the fate of their loved ones. Moreover, societies in which forced disappearances occur are often characterized by a culture of fear and silence.

Prevention and Accountability

Efforts to prevent forced disappearances include international legal instruments and the work of human rights organizations that document cases and support families of the disappeared. Holding perpetrators accountable through legal proceedings is crucial for justice and deterrence.

See also

• Human rights
• Dirty War
• International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance