Each forced disappearance has two victims – the person whom the government or another political actor has taken and that person’s loved ones. The victims’ families almost never receive information about the whereabouts of their loved one, and they are left without closure. In this way, forced disappearance can be used by state actors and terrorist groups to wreak havoc in a society.
The Organization of American States adopted the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons in 1994. Despite its leadership in the region, the United States has not become party to the convention.
Protesters hold signs that say “dónde están?” (where are they?) (via Amnesty International)