Enforced disappearances
One of the most serious violations of human rights is the enforced disappearance of human beings. The impact of enforced disappearances is far reaching, because the victim is deprived of all his rights while his family and relations are left in uncertainty about his fate. Since 1980, the UN has registered disappearances of ten thousands of persons in more than 70 countries. These people were hijacked, arrested or murdered by (or with permission of) the police or other official authorities. Afterwards, the officials denied any involvement. Aim for human rights supports through her programme Linking Solidarity organisations that combat enforced disappearances in Africa, Asia and the Euromediterranian region.
Enforced disappearances
Cases in which persons “disappear” after having been detained by policemen or soldiers are referred to as enforced disappearances. An enforced disappearance is a combination of behaviours, beginning with the detention of a person, but followed by a denial by the state authorities that the detention took place or that they know about the fate or the whereabouts of the vanished person. A disappearance causes enormous sufferings both to the direct victim as well as to its family and friends. It violates many human rights. It is also a crime, and in some cases even a crime against humanity. Disappearances have occurred in more than 70 countries, and continue occurring on all continents. Read more
Linking Solidarity
In 1992, a conference of organisations of family members of the disappeared insisted on their need for a project to promote cooperation and connections between these organisations. The Linking Solidarity project was started in 1995 as the main outcome of this conference and hosted at Aim for human rights, formerly the Humanist Committee on Human Rights (HOM). The long term objective of the Linking Solidarity Programme is to contribute to the elimination of the phenomenon of enforced disappearances. In the attempt to reach this goal, the ways and means chosen are: developing the capacities, the knowledge and skills of associations of families, as well as establishing networks, creating tools for outreach and strengthening unity and cooperation between organisations of families of the disappeared persons worldwide. Read more
Special website on enforced disappearances
Aim for human rights manages the Enforced Disappearances Information Exchange Center. This is a website that supports the international struggle against enforced disappearances. It facilitates accessing and sharing material about the issue of enforced disappearances. The website has been created to compile as much information as possible and to serve as a platform for exchanging materials, initiatives and contacts. Content varies from legal instruments and forensic research to exhumations. The Enforced Disappearance Information Exchange Center is being maintained by the Linking Solidarity staff. Its two languages are English and Spanish. More information: www.enforceddisappearances.org.
