ICAED and Convention on DisappearancesNews archive 2008
FAMILIES IN BALCANS CALL ON GOVERNMENTS TO RATIFY CONVENTION
In Belgrade, during the 11th annual conference of families of missing persons from the Balcan region from the November 28-30, 2008, associations of families of disappeared called on all the governments in the region to ratify the Convention. Link to the article
PARLIAMENT OF KAZAKHSTAN ADOPTS CONVENTION
The parliament of Kazakhstan on November 27 passed a law to ratify the Convention. Together with the recent aodption of the Senate in Uruguay the total of ratifications becomes 7. These two ratifications however still need to be deposited at the UN to become official. Link to news article
ROMANIA SIGNED THE CONVENTION
On December 3rd Romania signed the Convention bringing the total of signatures to 80.
ICJ URGES NEPALI STATE TO AMEND DISAPPEARANCE BILL
On 25 November 2008, the ICAED member, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), released a letter welcoming the Government of Nepal's initiative in drafting the Bill on Disappearances (Crime and Punishment) Act, 2065, but also urging the Constituent Assembly to adopt a series of amendments to ensure compliance with human rights obligations." The Bill does not comply with several provisions of the Convention. Link to letter on ICJ website
RESOLUTION OF THIRD COMMITTEE OF UN GA ON CONVENTION
The Third Committee of the General Assembly on November 22 2008 adopted a resolution with consensus calling on States to ratify the Convention. The resolution was proposed by Argentina. The United States joined the consensus.The representative of the United States said he had been pleased to join the consensus, because his Government shared the concern of others on the need to respond decisively on that issue. Read the resolution
ICAED CALLS ON COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBERS TO RATIFY CONVENTION
During the meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the Council of Europe in Cyprus on November 24 2008, the ICAED recalled the history of disappearances in Europe and called on States to ratify the Convention and take protective measures at the national level.
CONGRESS OF URUGUAY APPROVES RATIFICATION
On November 11 the Congress of Uruguay has ratified the Convention. In the upcoming days the president of the republic will issue the new law.
ICAED CALLS UPON A QUICK RATIFICATION OF THE CONVENTION BY THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT
On November 12 the ICAED has sent a letter to the President of Indonesia to ask attention for the convention on disappearances. With this letter the ICAED wants to stress that the prompt signing, ratification and implementation of this Convention should become a priority matter for the Indonesian government. Read the letter.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF MALI AUTHORIZES RATIFICATION
On October 30 the National Assembly of Mali unanimously authorized the ratification of the convention. Read the news article (in French; somewhere at two thirds of the arcticle)
BELGIUM MINISTER QUESTIONED ON THE PROGRESS OF RATIFICATION
In answer to questions in parliament on October 23rd the Belgium Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that proceedings are moving forward at the Ministry of Justice but that it could take some time. However the political will to proceed swiflty in the ratification process is present. Read the question and answer (in Dutch and French)
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CALLS ON NEXT US PRESIDENT TO SIGN CONVENTION
Human Rights Watch calls on te next US president to include in its human rights agenda as one of the first steps to sign and press the Senate to ratify the Convention against Enforced Disappearance to signal an intention to never again engage in such practices.
VENEZUELA SIGNED THE CONVENTION (WITH RESERVATION).
On October 21st the Permanent Representative of Venezuela to the United Nations signed the convention. Click here for a link to a news item (in Spanish). Venzuela made a reservation on article 42, that it does not conider itself obliged to resort to arbitration as a dispute setlement mechanism.
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION OF FRANCE PRIOR TO RATIFICATION
Prior to the ratification of France on September 23 the french Foreign Affairs Committee produced a report with the results of the investigation of the text of the convention. It includes an impact study and the draft law for ratification (only one article). Read the report in french
ICAED AND CAMPAIGN COMPLETE FIRST YEAR
On September 26 the ICAED and its international campaign for the convention completed their first anniversary. In this year membership increased from 11 organisations to 34. NGOs as well as governments acknowledge the ICAED more and more as an essential coordinating and binding element for an effective campaign.
FOUR COUNTRIES SIGN THE CONVENTION
On September 29 Tanzania and Lao signed the convention. Followed by Greece and Iceland who signed on October 1st. The signatories for the convention have now reached a total of 78.
ICAED SIDE EVENT TO THE HUMAN DIMENSION IMPLEMANTATION OF OSCE IN WARSAW
On October 2 the ICAED will host a roundtable of experts who speak about the current and ongoing challenges in efforts to promote awareness and effective remedies about enforced disappearances and the convention. Link to information about the side event.
CAMPAIGN OF CULTURE FIGURES FOR CONVENTION
On September 17 the Free Belarus Theatre performed a show in the Netherlands to start the international campaign of culture figures in support of the convention on enforced disappearances. Link to brief report of the show.
BULGARIA SIGNES CONVENTION DURING TREATY EVENT IN NY
On September 24, one day after the ratification of France and the speech of Argentine's president Christina Kirchner, who advocated strongly for the convention, Bulgaria became the 74th state to sign.
BAN KI MOON CALLS FOR RATIFICATION OF CONVENTION
September 23 2008 - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, at the inauguration event of an exhibition on the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo during te 63rd General Assembly, specifically called on all UN Member States to ratify the convention on enforced disappearances.
FRANCE DEPOSITED RATIFICATION ON SEPTEMBER 23 MAKING IT THE 5TH RATIFICATION
France, the leading country in the process of the negotations for the convention, deposited its ratification on September 23 in New York. French Minister of State Rama Yade was present at the ceremony. The convention has now been ratified by 5 countries. Link to webpage of french MoFa on convention
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION OF FRANCE DRAFTS REPORT ON CONVENTION
The Foreign Affairs commission of France issued a report on the convention. It includes a brief study of the impact of the convention on national law. The report also indicates that France will recognize the competence of the new Committee on Disappearances on individual complaints. The National assembly might vote for the convention on July 8. Link to the report (in French)
THE RABAT APPEAL URGES STATES TO ADOPT THE CONVENTION
The participants at the Euro-Mediterranean meeting of families of the disappeared adopted by unanimity the Rabat Appeal, which urges states to adopt the Convention against Enforced Disappearances. Read the Rabat Appeal in English, in French and in Arabic.
AMNESTY REPORT ON SECRET DETENTION CALLS FOR RATIFICATION
Amnesty International published a report on the actions that European countries should take to prevent secret detention and rendition. One of the recommendations is the ratification of the convention. Read the full report on the website of amnesty
SPANISH JUDGE GARZON POINTS OUT WEAKNESSES IN THE CONVENTION
During an international seminar on enforced disappearances in Bogota the Spanish judge Garzon points out the weaknesses of the convention; no prohibition of amnesty, it allows for statutory limitations and it lacks power in the responsibility of States. Read the news article (in Spanish)
LOUIS JOINET SAYS FAREWELL
One of the masterminds behind the Convention against Enforced Disappearances, the UN Special Rapporteur for Haiti Louis Joinet bade farewell to the Human Rights Council on June 18th 2008, after presenting his final report. Read more on Louis Joinet's work.
PROPOSAL HOUSE RESOLUTION TO TAKE ACTION ON CONVENTION IN USA
On May 1 a proposal for a resolution that expresses that the Senate should give its advice and consent to the ratification of the convention on enforced disappearances - and other UN conventions - was submitted to the House of Representatives in the USA. The resolution is currently under review at the Comittee on Foreign Affairs. Read (article 3 of) the resolution here
ARGENTINA ACCEPTS THE COMPETENCE OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
On June 11th the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina deposited a declaration accepting the competence of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, in compliance with Article 32 of the Convention.
FRANCE TO RATIFY THE CONVENTION?
The French National Assembly adopted a bill authorizing the ratification of the Convention. The Senate has yet to decide whether the text will be ratified by the President to enter into full legal force. Read more on the matter on the webpage of the French National Assembly (in French).
PRESS RELEASE OF THE REGIONAL EURO-MEDITERRANEAN SEMINAR ON FAMILIES OF THE DISAPPEARED
Read the press release of the Regional Euro-Mediterranean Seminar of Families of the Disappeared in French. The seminar took place from 12 to 14 June 2008 in Rabat, Morocco.
REMARKS ON ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES AND THE CONVENTION DURING THE UPR
From 5 to 16 May 2008, several countries have been examined during Session 2 of the Universal Periodic Reviw. Read more about the remarks on Enforced Disappearances in English
ICAED RECEIVES GRANT FROM FRENCH GOVERNMENT
June 2008 - The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has granted 40.000 Euros to the ICAED for the international campaign for the convention.
CONFERENCE OF FEMED IN MOROCCO WITH FOCUS ON CONVENTION
Date: June 12-14
Location: Rabat, Morocco
The Euromediterranean Federation of Families of Disappeared (FEMED) organizes a conference about disappearances in the region and the
LOUISE ARBOUR CALLS IN STATES TO RATIFY TREATY AT HRC
Statement by Ms. Louise Arbour UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
on the occasion of the 8th Session of the Human Rights Council she calls in all states to ratify the convention. click here for the full text (external website)
MALI TO RATIFY CONVENTION?
In press article released on Afrique en Ligne, it is stated Mali will ratify the Convention. The article is in French only. To read the article please click here (you will be transferred to an external website).
ARGENTINA ORGANIZED PANEL DISCUSSION
The Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN organized a panel discussion to promote the ratification and entry into force of the Convention, on 22 May, 2008, in New York.
Read more in the information leaflet in English or read more in the information sheet in Spanish
Read the Statement on behalf of the ICAED on ratification of the Convention
3733 SIGNATURES FOR THE CONVENTION IN GUATEMALA
Liga Guatemalteca de Higiene Mental, member of ICAED, on May 19th offered 3,733 signatures to the President of the Congress of Guatemala, Dr. Eduardo Meyer, demanding swift ratification of the Convention by the Government of Guatemala.
See a photo of the ceremony (includes text in Spanish)
Click here for a press article on this in Spanish only (you will be transferred to an external website).
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CALLS UPON EU MEMBER STATES TO SIGN AND RATIFY THE CONVENTION
In its annual resolution on Human Rights in the World 2007 and the EU's policy on the matter, adopted in plenary on Thursday 8 May 2008, the European Parliament, in Par. 48, expresses its concern that not all EU member states have signed the Convention. The EP calls upon all member states to sign and ratify the Convention.
Read the Resolution in English or in French
NETHERLANDS SINGS CONVENTION
On April 29, 2008 the Netherlands signed the Convention, making the number of signatures 73.
REMARKS ON ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES AND THE CONVENTION DURING UPR
From April 7 - 18, 2008, several countries have been examined during Session 1 of the Universal Periodic Review.
Read more about the remarks on Enforced Disappearances in English
HONDURAS RATIFIES CONVENTION
Honduras deposited the ratification at the Secretary General of the UN on April 1, 2008. Honduras is the fourth country to ratify the convention.
AMNESTY'S REACTION ON MEXICO'S RATIFICATION
March 26, 2008, Mexico: A positive, but insufficient step. Mexico ratifies the Convention against Enforced Disappearances.
RESOLUTION ON INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF ALL PERSONS FROM ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE
In a resolution (A/HRC/7/L.31/Rev.1) on the Convention, the Council encouraged States that had not done so to consider signing, ratifying or acceding to the Convention and invited States to consider joining the campaign to share information on best practices in that area. Read more...
RESOLUTION ON ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES
In a resolution (A/HRC/7/L.30) on enforced or involuntary disappearances, the Council decided to extend the mandate of the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances for a further period of three years, and encouraged it, inter alia, to promote communication between families of disappeared persons and the Governments concerned. Read more...
MEXICO DEPOSITS RATIFICATION AT UN
On March 18 Mexico desposited the ratification of the Convention at the UN. This makes Mexico the third country to ratify after Albania and Argentina.
SIDE EVENT OF ICAED AND GROUP DES AMIS DURING HRC SESSION
The ICAED, in consultation with the States in the Group des Amis, organized a round table on March 11 in Geneva to assess the state of ratification and identify challenges for the implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances. With a tribute to Bernard Kessedjian, Ambassador.
The programme of the event in English, Spanish and French
The report of the event in English
SEVERAL STATES MAKE REMARKS ON CONVENTION DURING HRC
6 States referred to the Convention during the High Level Segement of the Human Rights Council March 3-5 2008. Argentina urged other States to speed up the process of ratification. Read the remarks...
NETHERLANDS AND SOUTH AFRICA INDICATE THEY WILL SIGN IN APRIL
In the Netherlands as well as in South Africa government officials have indicated they are planning to sign the Convention in April of this year.
SOUTHERN AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON CONVENTION
A Southern African conference on the Convention is to be held on the 26-27th of February 2008 in Pretoria, South Africa. Read press release...
ICAED CALLS ON EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO PROMOTE THE CONVENTION
ICAED on January 24 called on the European Parliament (EP) to actively promote the Convention. ICAED proposed a motion for a resolution of the EP, stressing the importance of swift ratification and full implementation by the EU member States.
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS OF CoE RECALLS CONVENTION
On January 18 the Committee of Ministers (CoM) of the Council of Europe state that the entry into force of the convention would significantly contribute to combating the practice of enforced disappearances. Read article 8 of CoM reply
STATUS OF RATIFICATION ONE YEAR AFTER SIGNING CEREMONY
One year after the signing ceremony in Paris the count has reached 72 signatures and 2 ratifications. On this day ICAED publishes its Manifest urging States to demonstrate their commitment to the eradication of enforced disappearances by signing and ratifying the Convention.
LOWER HOUSE CHILE APPROVES CONVENTION
On January 3, 2008 the lower house of the parliament of Chile approves the convention. The convention only lacks approval in the Senate.
UN WORKING GROUP ON DISAPPEARANCES CALLS IN STATES TO RATIFY
In a press release to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared the UN working group on disappearances called on governments to ratify the convention. Link to the press release
FIRST MANIFESTATION OF FAMILIES OF DISAPPEARED IN IRAQ
To commemorate the disappeared and to call for the convention, families of disappeared from all the regions of Iraq gathered for the first time in Baghdad on August 30. According to the organisers it was a success and a first step to bring families in Iraq together and call on the government to deal with the problem.
APPEAL LETTER SEND TO ALL HEADS OF STATE
With the help of all the ICAED members signatures for the appeal letter were collected. It resulted not only in the signature of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and other Nobel Peace Prize winners but also numerous human rights defenders and a vast number of NGOs signed.
The appeal letter was send to all Heads of State on August 28 for it to arrive on August 30, the 25th International Day of the Disappeared.
Together with the appeal letter the impressive photo publication was send to show the global scale of enforced disappearances and the effects on the relatives.
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU SIGNS THE APPEAL LETTER
Archbishop Desmond Tutu signed the appeal letter of the ICAED that will be send to all Heads of State in August 30 to call for ratification.
LETTER FROM PEREZ ESQUIVEL TO FAMILIES OF DISAPPEARED
Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquivel drafted a letter in support of the struggle of the families of the disappeared. He reiterates that the Convention is fundamental to eradicate the phenomenon. Read letter (in Spanish)
ICAED LAUNCHES A BLOG
ICAED launches a blog for campaining and dicussing the UN Convention against enforced disappearances. The idea of the blog is to raise awareness about the UN Convention, to discuss it and to campaign for it. All member organisations and other interested individuals are invited to take part! See the ICAED blog (in English).
A ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE AGAINST ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES IN PERU
ICAED member organisations in Peru, Qatary Panituri and la Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos co-organise a round table conference to promote the UN Convention against enforced disappearances on August 20 in Lima, Peru. The conference is part of global August 30 commemorations. For more information, see the seminar poster, Qatary blogsite and a news item in Cronica Viva (in Spanish)
ICAED LAUNCHES SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN
ICAED has launched a signature campaign for the UN Convention against Enforced Disappearances. ICAED thereby reguests NGOs and personalities to sign an appeal to Heads of States all around the world to urge them to ratify and implement the UN Convention. Read the press release (in English).
AMNESTY CALLS ON PAKISTAN TO RATIFY CONVENTION
On July 23 2008 Amnesty International published the report Denying the Undeniable, about enforced disappearances in Pakistan. IN the report Amnesty not only recommends the Pakistan government to ratify the convention it also refers to the definition of the convention and the fact that prohibition of enforced disappearances is a rule in customary international law.
ICAED CALLS ON PRESIDENT PHILIPPINES TO PRIORITIZE CONVENTION
On July 21 the ICAED sent a letter to President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines calling on her to prioritize the convention and the process of ratification. The ICAED also underlined the importance of the anti-disappearance bill in the Philippines that is pending before the Congress.
GERMANY WILL MOST PROBABLY RATIFY AFTER SUMMER RECES: WITH RESERVATION ON RIGHT TO INFORMATION
Germany is in the closing phases for ratification of the convention on enforced disappearances. They will probably ratify after the summer reces. It seems that Germany will not criminalise enforced disappearances as a seperate crime and will make a reservation on the right to information based on privacy rules. Link to article (in German)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTS KASHMIR RESOLUTION
On July 10th the European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling on India to investigate all allegations that its troops may have executed thousands of innocent Jammu and Kashmiri residents. The resolution also urges the Indian and other governments to immediately ratify and implement the Convention against enforced disappearances. Read the Resolution (in English); also available in other EU languages.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTES ON 'KASMIR' RESOLUTION THAT CALLS ON INDIA TO RATIFY CONVENTION ON ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
The European Parliament during its plenary session on Thursday July 10 will debate and vote on a resolution on the 'allegation of mass graves in Indian Kashmir'. The resolution urges India to ratify and implement the UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance without reservations. Read the draft resolution
SENATE OF FRANCE RATIFIES CONVENTION
On July 8 the Senate of France ratified the convention. The last formal decision is the ratification of the convention on enforced disappearances by president Sarkozy. Link to the senate decision (in french)
DECLARATIONS OF ARGENTINA RECOGNIZING COMPETENCE
Argentina deposited two declarations after ratification. One declaration recognizing the competence of the Committee on individual complaints (art 31 1) and one on recognition of inter-State communications (art 32 1).
SENATE OF URUGUAY RATIFIES CONVENTION
On September 2nd 2008 the senate of Uruguay ratified the convention unanimously. Expectations are that the 'Camara de Diputados' will follow this example before the end of the month.