States are obligated to search for the disappeared — United Nations

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights experts have reminded states that the search for victims of enforced disappearances is an international law obligation and not an option.

Countries around the world must act urgently to search for victims and ensure that “the heinous crime” is properly investigated, United Nations authorities on enforced disappearances told member-states marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on Aug. 30.

“Relatives have a right, as victims themselves, to know the truth about the circumstances of any enforced disappearance, the whereabouts of their loved ones, the progress and results of the investigation and ultimately the fate of the disappeared person,” UN experts said.

“Measures to achieve truth and justice for enforced disappearances should be parallel and go hand in hand. There is no truth without justice and no justice without truth,” they added.

Suela Janina, chair of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, stressed: “The search for those who have disappeared is a right of the victims and an obligation of states, and should be carried out in good faith and in a diligent and effective manner.”

“Under these obligations, states that are parties to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance should immediately search for any individual who has disappeared,” Janina said.