Celebration of the International Day of the Disappeared in Utrecht; 29 August

August 30, 2009 marks the 26th anniversary of the International Day of the Disappeared. On this day the victims of enforced disappearances are commemorated all over the world. Aim for human rights would like you to join us on Saturday August 29 between 15:00 and 16:00 in Utrecht to remember the disappeared persons and call on all governments to increase their efforts to eradicate this crime.

Accross the world, several hundred thousand persons have been subjected to disappearance by state, police or army officers. Aim for human right has selected five cases of disappeared persons representing all continents where enforced disappearances have occurred. One of these victims is Jihad Eid from Lebanon, who disappeared in 1990. The public is asked to commemorate them by listening to the stories and releasing hundreds of balloons carrying the names of the victims.

We invite you to join the action and come to the bridge in front of our office at the corner Vinkenburgstraat/Oude Gracht in the centre of Utrecht. You can find a route description here.

For more information please contact Dave Hardy or call 0031 (0)30 234 90 66.

For more information on disappearances please see the thematic pages.