Aim for human rights launches online resource center on enforced disappearances

On Tuesday 25 March Aim for human rights launched a website that facilitates the international fight against enforced disappearances. The event took place during a meeting of the Pakistan NGO Support Group in Geneva.

Enforced disappearances
An enforced disappearance is a human rights violation that refers to the act of making a person disappeared in an involuntary manner. Frequently this crime is committed directly by a government or with its acknowledgment, as a way of repression. Because the government denies any involvement or knowledge of the fate of the victim, he or she is at great risk of being tortured or murdered.

Support against disappearances
The Enforced Disappearances Information Exchange Center (EDIEC) supports human rights defenders, relatives of disappeared persons and lawyers in their work against enforced disappearances. The new website compiles information about the phenomenon of involuntary disappearances around the world. Those involved can find reports, treaty texts and jurisprudence, in addition to a platform for exchange of information, at www.enforceddisappearances.org. During the launch, Mr Marvin Parvez of Church World Service talked on the issue of disappearances in Pakistan. “Involuntary disappearances are a major problem in Pakistan, with complaints of hundreds of people disappeared in 2007 alone. This new website benefits the relatives of those disappeared. They can learn what to do by reading what others have done. In addition, this initiative shows solidarity to the families.”
The website has been developed by Aim for human rights, and co-financed by the European Union. It is available in both English and Spanish.

Pakistan NGO Support Group
The launch took place during the annual meeting of the international Pakistan NGO Support Group. This network of NGOs supports the work of organisations and human rights defenders in Pakistan. Members are among others Justice and Peace Netherlands, Oxfam Novib, ICCO, CMC and Pax Christi International. The aim of the meeting was to collaborate with organisations from Pakistan on a common advice for the new Pakistan government and the UN Human Rights Council on how to lead Pakistan towards democracy and rule of law. Prevention of enforced disappearances and release of illegally detained persons are among the subjects that were discussed.

More information: www.enforceddisappearances.org