International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

On August 30 of each year, the UN observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance. This day aims to increase awareness about the numbers of enforced disappearances around the world.

There is cause for alarm. The sheer number of people who become victims of enforced disappearances dictates it. Involuntary disappearances are often the result of false arrests and abductions. After being arrested, the captors often imprison their victims in places under poor conditions. Some of them are stranded in foreign countries or hospitalized. Specific groups of people are especially vulnerable. These include children and people with disabilities. Other targets include human rights defenders and lawyers. During the investigation of such disappearances, witnesses are often harassed or intimidated. Some of the witnesses disappear as well. The perpetrators of enforced disappearances often use it as a tool to spread terror in the immediate society.

On December 21, 2010, the United Nations expressed its concern over the increasing numbers of involuntary disappearances throughout the world. In 2011 during the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, the UN declared August 30th of each year to be International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance.