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. Read document >

The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings is a human rights treaty that fights against human trafficking in Europe.  The document aims to prevent and combat all forms of human trafficking, including: protecting witnesses of the crime, ensuring international cooperation against trafficking, and ensuring effective investigation and prosecution of criminals involved in trafficking.

As of 2019, it has been ratified by 47 European states. The only nation which is a member of the Council of Europe but not a signatory to the convention is the Federation of Russia. Read document >

Every year, tens of thousands of people are “disappeared” – they go missing without a trace at the hands of the state and other political actors. Their families and loved ones are not given any information about them, including whether or not they are still alive.  

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006 and entered into force in 2010. It signals the international community’s willingness to stand against this practice and to hold other member states responsible for their actions. Read document >