News
Progress against enforced disappearances
The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, will come into force on 23 December, 30 days after Iraq became the twentieth state to ratify it. Brazil has also ratified it since then. The Convention is binding, and it is anticipated to contribute to ending the impunity that all too often accompanies one of the most serious international crimes, which is also a crime that causes the most pain, not only to the direct victims, but to their families, the circle of friends and the communities to which they belong.
International law is moving towards greater protection of human rights. Among other issues, in the case of enforced disappearances, the convention's imminent entry into force entails a long awaited recognition of the seriousness of this crime, a classification of states' responsibilities and a much needed focus on the rights of direct and indirect victims.
Spain is one of the 21 states party to the convention, as well as Albania, Germany, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Honduras, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Senegal, Uruguay and Chile.
More information at:
United Nations High Commission on Human Rights
International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances