By: Claudia Waedlich

The United Nations offers different mechanisms against the Enforced Disappearance of people, but not all of them lead to efficient results. For example, because of the need of ratification on the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CPED) - a legally binding Convention for States - it is ineffectual in the case of the state of Pakistan.

Although, Pakistan was recommended to ratify it, there are well-known reasons why this has not yet happened - the Convention obliged states to fight against Enforced Disappearances. Compliance with the Convention is monitored by the Committee against Disappearance and the Committee and a Working Group operate closely together. This Body could be effective, but at present, there is no possibility of implementing it.

The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, founded in 1980 and comprising five independent experts belonging to five world religions, is searching for those ‘disappeared’, and at the same time, fighting against the crime. They are helping relatives to find out where their loved ones are and will continue until these people’s destinies are discovered. ... Read more »