United Nations Human Rights Council addresses enforced disappearances

During the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, international organizations addressed the ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances and the importance of memorialization.

Peace Brigades International (PBI) highlighted the critical need to implement laws protecting women searchers in Colombia. PBI noted that despite the ratification of Law 2364 of 2024 and subsequent decrees, protection for those searching for missing relatives remains insufficient in certain territories. The organization cited recent violence against searchers in Colombia and expressed concerns regarding disappearance trends in Mexico and Kenya.

Additionally, the Committee for Justice (CFJ) participated in a United Nations launch event for a thematic report titled ‘Enforced Disappearances and Memorialization’. The event focused on the legal obligations of states regarding memorialization and the protection of victims, families, and civil society actors. The CFJ shared perspectives from The Gambia, emphasizing that memorialization serves to protect truth and prevent the recurrence of serious human rights violations.