They might capture you at any time. When you're at work, sleeping, walking down the street, doing your groceries. Day or night. They might wear military or civilian clothes while taking you away, not giving you a reason or a warrant. They do not hesitate to use violence as they force you to come along. The officials deny knowing anything. It is as if you ceased to exist...

AUGUST 30 2008: GLOBAL ACTION AGAINST ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES

On August 30 2008, which marks the 25th anniversary of the International Day of the Disappeared, the ICAED voices particular concern about the fate and predicament of persons who have been forced to go missing as well as calls for action to help them.

An enforced disappearance of a person is a grave human rights violation that has hurt tens of thousands of persons and their families. It creates victims all over the globe still today.

On August 30th the ICAED members will appeal to heads of states across the globe to sign, ratify and implement the Convention against Enforced Disappearances.

Heads of states will receive an appeal letter, signed by renowned personalities and NGOs, together with a beautiful photo publication, that displays the array of emotions associated with enforced disappearances. We have obtained most of these photos from our partner organisations so the pictures truly correspond to real life experiences. Both the letter and the publication will be available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian.

In addition, various events are organised by the families of victims all over the world to commemorate the disappeared. Festivities are global, taking place on all the continents. Examples of events are manifestations, theatre play, exhibitions, visits to government officials, press releases and statements.

YOU CAN HELP US BY:

• collecting signatures for the appeal letter - from August 2nd to August 28th we will need your help to collect signatures from renowned personalities and NGOs to appeal to governments wordwide. 

  The letter will be sent on August 30 to all Heads of State around the globe.

  Personalities, please sign by e-mailing us your NAME, COUNTRY and OCCUPATION
  NGOs, please sign by e-mailing the NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION, COUNTRY and FUNCTION OF THE SIGNATORY.
   
  Kindly send the signatures to d.hardy@aimforhumanrights.org before August 28.

• circulating the photo publication - a beautiful photo publication that visualizes all the emotions associated with enforced disappearence is in the process of making. We will also send it to various organisations and it will soon be available here on the website for downloading.
• presenting the manifest and the photo publication to your government - the idea is that the ICAED manifest will be accompanied by the photo publication as a moral appeal. Together these two will function as a strong means of pressing governments worldwide to act.
• organising commemoration activities in your own country - various events (theatre, music, visit to the president, exhibits...) are essential in raising awareness and commemorating the disappeared.

Kindly contact us by e-mail: d.hardy@aimforhumanrights.nl; internls@aimforhumanrights.nl