Enforced disappearances: UN expert group to review 840 cases from 46 countries
GENEVA (7 September 2018) – The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will hold its
116th session in Geneva from 10 to 14 September 2018 to examine 840 cases from 46 countries.
The Working Group’s session will coincide with the first week of the Human Rights Council’s 39th session, during which
the Working Group will present on 12th September its annual report to the Council as well as the reports on the Working Group’s visit to the Gambia and the follow-up reports on the recommendations made
by the Working Group upon past visits to the Western Balkans.
On 10 September, the Working Group will hold an expert consultation on “standards and public policies for an effective
investigation of enforced disappearances”, in order to inform its next thematic report to the Council.
The Group - composed of five independent human rights experts - will also meet relatives of those who have disappeared,
State authorities from different countries, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to exchange information
on individual cases and on the persistent trend of the phenomenon of enforced disappearances.
The Working Group will, in addition, discuss internal matters and future activities, including its planned visits. The
experts will also examine allegations received regarding obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration
on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
The Working Group’s meetings are held in private.
ends