News archive 2007

NORWAY SIGNS CONVENTION

On December 21, 2007, Norway signed the convention and is currently working on the necessary legal changes to make the ratification possible.

SPECIAL PAGE IN MEMORY OF BERNARD KESSEDJIAN

On December 19, 2007, Ambassador Kessedjian passed away at the age of 64 due to illness. A special page has been created in memory of his work in general and for the convention in particular.

ACHPR DID NOT ADDRESS ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES

In a press release of December 17, 2007, FIDH welcomes the adoption by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights of 18 resolutions, but FIDH also regrets the fact that the ACHPR did not address the issue of enforced disappearances in Africa Read press release...

The Forum of Participation of NGOs, held on 10-12 November, 2007, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, called on the ACHPR to adopt a resolution that eradicates enforced disappearances and urges Member States of the African Union who have not yet signed the International Convention for the protection of all persons against enforced disappearances to sign and ratify the Convention. Click here to read the Resolution.

NEW YORK - DEC 14 ARGENTINA DEPOSITS RATIFICATION AT UN

On Friday December 14, 2007, Argentina deposits its ratification at the United Nations in New York. Its the second ratification after Albania.

GENEVA - JARDIN DES DISPARUS EVENT ON DECEMBER 8

The organisation Jardin des Disparus presents a solidarity evening on December 8, 2007. Promotion of the convention will be part of the activities. Read the flyer...

HONDURAS - CONGRESS RATIFIES CONVENTION

In the week of December 8 the Congress of Honduras ratified the convention. Read the news item in Spanish

CHILE - PARLIAMENT ONE VOTE SHORT FOR RATIFICATION

On November 7 2007 the parliament of Chile cam one vote short for ratification of the convention. Only 67 votes in favor were obtained where 68 votes were needed. Read news article in Spanish

VENEZUELA - PROPOSED CHANGES IN CONSTITUTION

The changes proposed in the new Venezuelan constitution - rejected in a referendum - would also have implicated the restriction of the constitution in states of emergency, with a clear exception of enforced disappearance. Read article 337 of constitution

LETTER TO UK GOVERNMENT QUESTIONNING POSITIION

Letter to UK govt from the UK All Party Parliamentary Committee on Extraordinary Rendition asking the Secretary of State why the UK has not signed yet. Read the letter...

ALBANIA RATIFIES THE CONVENTION

Albania has ratified the convention on November 8, 2007. This makes it the first (European) country to ratify the convention and deposit it at the UN. Albania also accepted the competence of the Committee in a declaration.

SENATE OF MEXICO RATIFIES THE CONVENTION

On November 7 2007 - the same day as Argentina - the senate of Mexico ratified the Convention. The website of the Senate contains a description of the backgound and considerations that lead towards the decision.  

ARGENTINA RATIFIES CONVENTION AND ADOPTS LAW CRIMINALISING DISAPPEARANCE IN PENAL CODE

On November 7 2007, the day of the inauguration by president Kirchner of the monument for the disappeared, the Senate of Argentina ratified the convention. Enforced disappearance was subsequently made a crime in the penal code.

10 NEW SIGNATURES

End of September, beginning of October, 10 more countries signed the convention. The total number of States that signed the Convention is now 71. New signatures are:

• Colombia
• Denmark
• Gabon
• Germany
• Liechtenstein
• Panama
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Swasiland