30/38 Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
Document Type: Final Report
Date: 2015 Aug
Session: 30th Regular Session (2015 Sep)
Agenda Item: Item3: Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development
Human Rights Council Thirtieth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances*
Summary
The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances was the first
United Nations human rights thematic mechanism to be established with a universal
mandate by resolution 20 (XXXVI) of 29 February 1980 of the Commission on Human
Rights. The mandate was most recently extended by the Human Rights Council in its
resolution 27/1 of 25 September 2014.
The mandate of the Working Group is to assist families of disappeared persons to
ascertain the fate and whereabouts of their disappeared relatives; and to monitor States’
compliance with their obligations deriving from the Declaration on the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to provide States with assistance in the
implementation of those norms.
Since its inception, the Working Group has transmitted a total of 54,557 cases to
105 States. The number of cases under active consideration stands at 43,563 in a total of
88 States. During the reporting period, 65 cases were clarified.
The present report reflects the activities of and communications and cases
examined by the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances covering
the period 17 May 2014 to 15 May 2015.
* The annexes to the present report are circulated as received, in the language of submission only.
Contents Page
I. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3
II. Activities of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances:
17 May 2014 to 15 May 2015 .......................................................................................................... 3
A. Activities .................................................................................................................................. 3
B. Meetings .................................................................................................................................. 5
C. Communications ...................................................................................................................... 5
D. Country visits ........................................................................................................................... 5
E. Follow-up reports and other procedures .................................................................................. 6
F. Press releases and statements ................................................................................................... 6
G. Thematic study on enforced disappearance and economic, social and cultural rights ............. 8
III. Decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group and communications
transmitted to the States concerned during the reporting period ...................................................... 9
IV. Observations ..................................................................................................................................... 14
V. Conclusions and recommendations .................................................................................................. 20
Annexes
I. Country visit requests and invitations extended ............................................................................... 23
II. Statistical summary: cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance reported to the Working
Group between 1980 and 2015, and general allegations transmitted ............................................... 25
III. Graphs showing the number of cases of enforced disappearances per year and per country
according to the cases transmitted by the Working Group during the period
1980–15 May 2015 (only for countries with more than 100 cases transmitted) .............................. 32
I. Introduction
1. The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances was the first United
Nations human rights thematic mechanism to be established with a universal mandate, by
the Commission on Human Rights resolution 20 (XXXVI) of 29 February 1980. The
mandate was most recently extended by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 27/1 of
25 September 2014.
2. The primary task of the Working Group is to assist families in determining the fate
or whereabouts of their family members who are reportedly disappeared. In that
humanitarian capacity, the Working Group serves as a channel of communication between
family members of victims of enforced disappearance and other sources reporting cases of
disappearances, and the Governments concerned.
3. Following the adoption by the General Assembly of its resolution 47/133 and of the
Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (hereinafter “the
Declaration”), the Working Group was entrusted to monitor the progress of States in
fulfilling their obligations derived from the Declaration. The Human Rights Council, in its
resolution 7/12, encouraged the Working Group to provide assistance in the implementation
by States of the Declaration and of existing international rules.
4. The present report reflects the activities of and communications and cases examined
by the Working Group covering the period from 17 May 2014 to 15 May 2015. A summary
of the decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group and communications
transmitted to the States concerned during the reporting period is presented in a table (see
sect. III).
5. Since its inception, the Working Group has transmitted a total of 54,557 cases to 105
States. The number of cases under active consideration that have not yet been clarified,
closed or discontinued stands at 43,563 in a total of 88 States. During the reporting period,
65 cases were clarified.
6. The Working Group notes with appreciation that there has been an improvement in
speed of the translation of the replies received from Governments concerning cases.
7. In spite of some improvements to the content and layout of the English web page of
the Working Group’s website, the Working Group regrets that the majority of the content
on the website is in English only. The Working Group once again calls on the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide adequate resources to
bring it up to date and render it more accessible.
8. The Working Group is grateful to the Human Rights Council and the General
Assembly for the recognition, through the granting of an additional post under the regular
budget, of its need to receive additional support, given its huge workload and variety of
activities. It is also thankful for the continuous support, including through voluntary
contributions, provided by donor States, notably Argentina, France and Japan.
II. Activities of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances: 17 May 2014 to 15 May 2015
A. Activities
9. During the period under review, the Working Group held three sessions: the 104th
session, from 15 to 19 September 2014; the 105th session, from 2 to 6 March 2015; and the
106th session, from 6 to 15 May 2015. The 105th session was held in Buenos Aires and the
other sessions were held in Geneva.
10. Further to its comments in 2012 annual report (A/HRC/22/45 and Corr.1, para. 5)
the Working Group has continued to produce post-sessional documents to allow the
translation of information and timely reporting on its activities.
11. Post-sessional documents were adopted and published after the 104th
(A/HRC/WGEID/104/1); 105th (A/HRC/WGEID/105/1); and 106th
(A/HRC/WGEID/106/1) sessions. Those post-sessional documents should be considered
complements to the present annual report.1
12. As from 1 October 2013, the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group has been Ariel
Dulitzky. Jasminka Dzumhur was elected Vice-Chair during the 104th session of the
Working Group. Olivier de Frouville completed his appointment as a member of the
Working Group on 31 October 2014 and was replaced by Bernard Duhaime, appointed in
October 2014. The other members of the Working Group are Houria Es Slami and Osman
El-Hajjé.
13. On 12 September 2014, the Chair-Rapporteur presented the annual report for the
period 10 November 2012 to 16 May 2014 to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-
seventh session, and participated in the interactive dialogue with Member States.
14. Between 29 September and 3 October 2014, the Vice-Chair represented the Working
Group during the twenty-first annual meeting of special rapporteurs/representatives,
independent experts and working groups of the special procedures of the Council.
15. On 22 October 2014, the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group addressed the
General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session and participated in the interactive dialogue with
Member States. That was the third consecutive time that the Chair-Rapporteur addressed
the General Assembly, which was highly valued and appreciated.
16. On 24 November 2014, the Vice-Chair took part in an expert consultation entitled
“Human rights considerations relating to the administration of justice through military
tribunals and role of the integral judicial system in combating human rights violations”,
organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 25/4.
17. The Working Group held its 105th session in Argentina from 2 to 6 March 2015, to
mark the 35th anniversary of its creation. The Working Group is grateful to the
Government of Argentina for this opportunity. The Working Group continues its practice to
have one of its sessions per year outside Geneva.
18. On 23 March 2015, Mr. Duhaime participated in a “Meeting of victims and human
rights defenders” on the occasion of the International Day for the Right to Truth concerning
Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims in San Salvador.
19. During the reporting period, all the members of the Working Group carried out a
number of activities connected to enforced disappearance, which included their
participation in conferences, consultations, seminars, training events, workshops and
lectures, organized by Governments and/or civil society organizations.
1 See http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Disappearances/Pages/Annual.aspx.
B. Meetings
20. During the period under review, representatives of the Governments of: Angola,
Algeria, Japan, Morocco, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Tajikistan (104th); Argentina and Japan
(105th); Bhutan, Gabon, Japan and the Republic of Korea (106th) attended the sessions of
the Working Group. A number of informal meetings were also held with representatives
from various States. The Working Group expresses its appreciation to those Governments
for the meetings and emphasizes the importance of cooperation and dialogue.
21. The Working Group also met with the Committee on Enforced Disappearances
during its 104th session, and held two meetings with the President of the Human Rights
Council during the reporting period. It also met with State representatives from the African
and Asian regional groups during the 104th and 106th sessions, as well as representatives of
international governmental organizations, relatives and associations of relatives of
disappeared persons, and non-governmental organizations.
C. Communications
22. During the reporting period, the Working Group transmitted 384 new cases of
enforced disappearance to 33 States.
23. The Working Group transmitted 151 of the above-mentioned cases under the urgent
action procedure to Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Egypt, Gambia, Honduras, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Oman,
Pakistan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.
24. The Working Group clarified 65 cases, in Algeria (1), Bahrain (1), Chile (10), China
(1), Cuba (1), Egypt (6), the Gambia (3), Georgia (1), Guatemala (1), Oman (1), Pakistan
(12), Peru (3), Saudi Arabia (3), Sri Lanka (10), the Syrian Arab Republic (5), Tajikistan
(1), Turkey (1), the United Arab Emirates (2) and Uruguay (2). Of the 65 cases, 32 were
clarified on the basis of information provided by Governments, and 33 on the basis of
information provided by sources.
25. The Working Group transmitted 13 prompt intervention communications addressing
allegations of harassment of and/or threats to human rights defenders and relatives of
disappeared persons in Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Mexico, the Russian
Federation and Sri Lanka.
26. It transmitted 21 urgent appeals concerning persons who had been arrested, detained,
abducted or otherwise deprived of their liberty or who had been forcibly disappeared or
were at risk of disappearance in Burundi, China, Congo, Eritrea and the Islamic Republic of
Iran.
27. The Working Group transmitted seven general allegations, to the Governments of
Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Kenya, Pakistan
and Paraguay.
28. It also transmitted six other letters to the Governments of Guatemala, India,
Morocco, Nepal and Spain.
D. Country visits
29. The Working Group, represented by Mr. Dulitzky, Ms. Dzumhur and Mr. El-Hajjé
visited Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia including Kosovo from 15 to 30 June 2014. The
reports on the visit are contained in addenda to the present report (A/HRC/30/38/Add.1,
Add.2 and Add.3). The Working Group thanks the Governments of Croatia, Montenegro
and Serbia for the invitation as well as for the cooperation extended to it, before and during
its visit to the country. It also thanks United Nations Interim Administration Mission in
Kosovo and the Kosovo authorities for the assistance in the context of the visit to Kosovo.
30. At the invitation of the Government of Peru, the Working Group visited the country
from 1 to 10 June 2015. The Working Group thanks the Government of Peru for the
invitation and the cooperation extended to it. It also thanks the other States that have
extended invitations to the Working Group to visit their countries: the Governments of Sri
Lanka and Turkey, which invited the Working Group to undertake a visit in 2015; as well
as the Governments of Albania, which extended an invitation to the Working Group for
2016, and the Sudan, which extended an invitation in principle.
31. During the reporting period, the Working Group requested visits to Albania,
Bahrain, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Rwanda and South Africa.
32. In addition to these new requests, the Working Group has requested in the past a
visit to the following countries, without having yet received a positive response:
Bangladesh, Belarus, Burundi, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Nicaragua,
the Philippines, the Russian Federation, South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand,
the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. The Working Group invites all
States that have received a request for a visit by the Working Group to respond favourably
to it, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 21/4.2
33. The Working Group recalls the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to a
visit by the Working Group in 2004, which was delayed at the request of the Government.
The Working Group calls upon the Government to set the dates for the visit. Similarly, the
Working Group regrets that the visit to Algeria did not materialize, in spite of an invitation
extended to visit the country in the second half of 2014.
E. Follow-up reports and other procedures
34. The Working Group prepared follow-up reports on the implementation of
recommendations made following its visits to Mexico and Timor-Leste. The follow-up
reports are contained in an addendum to the present report (A/HRC/30/38/Add.4).
F. Press releases and statements
35. On 30 May 2014, the Working Group, jointly with other special procedures, issued a
press statement emphasizing that the decision of the Security Council not to refer the
situation in the Syrian Arab Republic to the International Criminal Court leaves the door
wide open for new atrocities in the ongoing conflict.3
36. On 13 June 2014, the Working Group, jointly with other special procedures, issued a
press release in which it urged Thailand authorities to reverse all measures affecting basic
rights and to restore democratic rule in the country, and stressed that stability and
reconciliation could hardly be achieved in Thailand if human rights guarantees were
neglected.4
2 Please see annex I for country visit requests and invitations extended.
3 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14655&LangID=E.
4 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14696&LangID=E.
37. On 4 July 2014, the Working Group issued, jointly with other special procedures
mandate holders, a press release in which it called upon the Government of Nepal to amend
its new legislation allowing for amnesties in cases of serious violations of human rights and
humanitarian law.5
38. On 11 July 2014, the Working Group issued a statement at the end of its visit to the
Western Balkans emphasizing the urgent need for new national and regional strategies and
a renewed commitment at the highest political level to address the question of enforced
disappearances and missing persons.6
39. On 8 August 2014, the Working Group issued a press release welcoming the reunion
of Argentine activist Estela de Carloto with her grandson after 36 years and urging full
support for families of the disappeared from Governments around the world.7
40. On 30 August 2014, the Working Group issued a press release jointly with the
Committee on Enforced Disappearances on the occasion of the International Day of the
Victims of Enforced Disappearances calling all States to remove all obstacles to aid
investigations into the fate of disappeared persons.8
41. On 17 September 2014, the Working Group, jointly with the Committee on
Enforced Disappearances, issued a statement on the occasion of the fourth meeting between
the two bodies, held on 17 September 2014.9
42. On 29 September 2014, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other
special procedure mandate holders, calling on the Government and the Congress of
Colombia to reconsider the possible adoption of Bill No. 85 (Senate) of 2013, which aims
to restructure and expand the scope of the jurisdiction of military courts.10
43. On 10 October 2014, the Working Group issued a press release underlining that the
investigation of the killings and enforced disappearances of students in the State of
Guerrero, Mexico, represent a crucial test for the willingness and the capacity of Mexico to
deal with serious violations of human rights.11
44. On 23 October 2014, a press release was issued at the occasion of the presentation of
the Chair of the Working Group to the General Assembly.12
45. On 19 November 2014, the Working Group, jointly with other mandate holders,
raised the alarm over the potential imminent release of Milorad Trbić, who was convicted
in 2009 by the Bosnian State Court of committing genocide in Srebrenica and sentenced to
30 years in prison.13
46. On 26 November 2014, the Working Group, jointly with other special procedure
mandate holders, urged the President of the United States of America Barack Obama to
support the fullest possible release of the report on Central Intelligence Agency
interrogation practices conducted by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.14
5 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14824&LangID=E.
6 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14854&LangID=E.
7 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14929&LangID=E.
8 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14970&LangID=E.
9 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15087&LangID=E.
10 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15125&LangID=E.
11 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15155&LangID=E.
12 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15199&LangID=E.
13 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15310&LangID=E.
14 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15348&LangID=E.
47. On 26 February 2015, the Working Group announced the holding of its 105th
session in Argentina, 35 years after its creation in response to the disappearances
committed by the dictatorship there.15
48. On 10 March 2015, a story was published on the OHCHR website on the holding of
the 105th session in Argentina.16
49. On 27 March 2015, the Working Group, jointly with other special procedure
mandate holders, issued a press release calling the Government of Spain to either try or
extradite individuals allegedly responsible of grave human rights violations, including
enforced disappearances.17
50. On 21 April 2015, the Working Group, jointly with other special procedure mandate
holders, issued a press release welcoming the decision by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to
suspend death sentences imposed by military courts.18
51. On 1 May 2015, the Working Group, jointly with other special procedure mandate
holders, issued a press release welcoming the constitutional reform approved by the
Parliament of Mexico to legislate on a number of human rights violations, including
enforced disappearances.19
G. Thematic study on enforced disappearance and economic, social
and cultural rights
52. The Working Group has completed its study on the relationship between enforced
disappearances and economic, social and cultural rights. The report is contained in an
addendum to the present report (A/HRC/30/38/Add.5).
53. That study examines the indivisibility of economic, social and cultural rights, and
civil and political rights in the case of enforced disappearances. Enforced disappearance, by
its nature, violates the economic, social and cultural rights of the disappeared person, his or
her family and others. In addition, those lacking the full enjoyment of economic, social and
cultural rights are, in many instances, more vulnerable to becoming victims of enforced
disappearance.
54. The study also emphasizes how people who are active in promoting or exercising the
enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights are, in many contexts, at a greater risk of
becoming victims of enforced disappearance. In such circumstances, enforced
disappearances are used as a tool to deter people from promoting and exercising economic,
social and cultural rights.
55. The Working Group also observes that, under the Declaration, States have an
obligation to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearances and to provide reparations to
all victims of enforced disappearances, taking into account the intrinsic connection between
enforced disappearances and economic, social and cultural rights. Effective measures to
prevent and eradicate enforced disappearances, and to provide reparation to the victims,
require a comprehensive approach that encompasses proper promotion and protection of
economic, social and cultural rights.
15 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15618&LangID=E.
16 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/ExpertsInArgentina35YearsAfter.aspx.
17 See www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15765&LangID=S (Spanish
only).
18 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15868&LangID=E.
19 See www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15913&LangID=S (Spanish
only).
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III. Decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group and communications transmitted to the States concerned during the reporting period20
Countries
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
beginning of
the period
under
review
Cases transmitted
to the Government
during the reporting
period
Cases clarified during
the period under
review by:
Number of
cases of
possible
clarification
by
Government
(6-month rule)
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
end of the
period under
review
Communications sent during
the period under review
Communications received during
the period under review
Prompt
intervention
letter
Urgent
appeal
General
allegation
Other
letter
Response to
prompt
intervention
letter
Response
to urgent
appeal
Response to
general
allegation
Response
to other
letter
Urgent
actions
Standard
cases Government Sources
Afghanistan 3 - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - -
Albania 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Algeria 3 047 - 58 - 1 - 3 104 - - - - - - - -
Angola 2 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Argentina21 3 271 - 1 - - - 3 271 - - - - - - - -
Bahrain 3 1 - 1 - - 3 - - 1 - - 1 1 -
Bangladesh 15 2 13 - - - 30 - - - - - - - -
Belarus 3 - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - -
Bhutan 5 - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - -
Bolivia
(Plurinational
State of)
28 - - - - - 28 - - - - - - - -
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
0 - - - - - 0 - - - - - - 1 -
Brazil 13 - - - - - 13 - - - - - - - -
Burundi 52 - - - - - 52 - 1 - - - - - -
20 Urgent actions are cases of enforced disappearances occurred within three months prior to the receipt of a report by the Working Group; or cases
of enforced disappearances occurred prior to the three-month limit, but within one year prior to the receipt of a report by the Working Group,
provided that there is a link with a case that occurred within the three-month period. Standard cases are cases of enforced disappearances occurred
prior to the three-month limit. Prompt intervention letters concern cases of intimidation, persecution or reprisal against families of disappeared
persons, witnesses, lawyers, human rights defenders and other individuals concerned with disappearances. Urgent appeals concern allegations of
enforced disappearances; or allegations regarding persons deprived of liberty who are at risk of being disappeared. General allegations concern
alleged obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration.
21 The Working Group determined during its 106th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.
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Countries
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
beginning of
the period
under
review
Cases transmitted
to the Government
during the reporting
period
Cases clarified during
the period under
review by:
Number of
cases of
possible
clarification
by
Government
(6-month rule)
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
end of the
period under
review
Communications sent during
the period under review
Communications received during
the period under review
Prompt
intervention
letter
Urgent
appeal
General
allegation
Other
letter
Response to
prompt
intervention
letter
Response
to urgent
appeal
Response to
general
allegation
Response
to other
letter
Urgent
actions
Standard
cases Government Sources
Cambodia 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Cameroon 14 - - - - - 14 - - - - - - - -
Central African
Republic
3 - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - -
Chad 23 - - - - - 23 - - - - - - - -
Chile 796 - - 10 - - 786 - - - - - - - -
China 37 - 4 - 1 1 40 - 2 - - - 2 - -
Colombia 971 - - - - - 971 2 - 1 - 1 - - -
Congo 88 - 1 - - - 89 - 1 - - - - - -
Cuba 0 1 - 1 - 0 - -
Democratic
People’s
Republic of
Korea
47 - 6 - - - 53 - - - - - - - -
Democratic
Republic of the
Congo
45 1 1 - - - 47 - - 1 - - - - -
Dominican
Republic
2 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Ecuador 5 - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - -
Egypt22 52 66 13 3 3 16 124 - - - - - 1 - -
El Salvador 2 277 - 3 - - - 2 280 1 - 1 - 1 - - -
Equatorial
Guinea
8 - - - - - 8 - - - - - - - -
Eritrea 54 - 2 - - - 56 - 1 - - - - - -
Ethiopia 112 - - - - - 112 - - - - - - - -
22 The Working Group determined during its 106th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.
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1
Countries
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
beginning of
the period
under
review
Cases transmitted
to the Government
during the reporting
period
Cases clarified during
the period under
review by:
Number of
cases of
possible
clarification
by
Government
(6-month rule)
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
end of the
period under
review
Communications sent during
the period under review
Communications received during
the period under review
Prompt
intervention
letter
Urgent
appeal
General
allegation
Other
letter
Response to
prompt
intervention
letter
Response
to urgent
appeal
Response to
general
allegation
Response
to other
letter
Urgent
actions
Standard
cases Government Sources
France 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Gambia 3 7 - - 3 - 7 - - - - - - - -
Georgia 1 - - 1 - - 0 - - - - - - - -
Greece 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Guatemala23 2 899 - - 1 - 2 897 - - - 1 - - - 1
Guinea 37 - - - - - 37 - - - - - - - -
Haiti 38 - - - - - 38 - - - - - - - -
Honduras 129 1 - - - - 130 1 - - - - - - -
India 354 - - - - - 354 1 - - 1 - - - -
Indonesia 163 - - - - - 163 - - - - - - - -
Iran (Islamic
Republic of
Iran)
518 2 2 - - 2 522 - 1 - - - - - -
Iraq 16 408 - - - - - 16 408 - - - - - - - -
Israel 2 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Jordan 2 1 - - - - 3 - - - - - - - -
Kenya 60 1 - - - - 61 - - 1 - - - - -
Kuwait 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Lao People’s
Democratic
Republic
2 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Lebanon 313 - - - - - 313 - - - - - - - -
Libya 10 - - - - - 10 - - - - - - - -
Maldives 0 - - - - - 0 - 1 - - - - - -
Mauritania 4 - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - -
23 The Working Group determined during its 106th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.
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Countries
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
beginning of
the period
under
review
Cases transmitted
to the Government
during the reporting
period
Cases clarified during
the period under
review by:
Number of
cases of
possible
clarification
by
Government
(6-month rule)
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
end of the
period under
review
Communications sent during
the period under review
Communications received during
the period under review
Prompt
intervention
letter
Urgent
appeal
General
allegation
Other
letter
Response to
prompt
intervention
letter
Response
to urgent
appeal
Response to
general
allegation
Response
to other
letter
Urgent
actions
Standard
cases Government Sources
Mexico 359 2 5 - - - 366 4 2 - - 2 2 - -
Morocco 60 - 26 - - - 86 - - - 1 - - - -
Mozambique 2 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Myanmar 2 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Namibia 2 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Nepal 459 - - - - - 459 - - - 1 - - - 1
Nicaragua 103 - - - - - 103 - - - - - - - -
Norway 0 - - - - - 0 - - - - - 1 - -
Oman 0 1 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - - - - - -
Pakistan 151 57 4 - 12 - 200 - - 1 - - - - -
Paraguay 0 - - - - - 0 - - 1 - - - 1 -
Peru24 2 370 - - - 3 - 2 365 - - - - - - - -
Philippines 625 - - - - - 625 - - - - - - - -
Russian
Federation
471 - 5 - - - 476 1 - - - - - - -
Rwanda 21 - 1 - - - 22 - 1 - - - 1 - -
Saudi Arabia 6 - 2 2 1 - 5 - - - - - - - -
Senegal 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Seychelles 3 - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - -
Somalia 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
South Africa 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
South Sudan 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Spain 6 - - - - - 6 - - - 2 - - 1 -
Sri Lanka 5 731 - 29 10 - 7 5 750 3 - - - - - - -
24 The Working Group determined during its 104th session that two cases were duplicates and subsequently expunged them from the records.
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3
Countries
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
beginning of
the period
under
review
Cases transmitted
to the Government
during the reporting
period
Cases clarified during
the period under
review by:
Number of
cases of
possible
clarification
by
Government
(6-month rule)
Number of
outstanding
cases at the
end of the
period under
review
Communications sent during
the period under review
Communications received during
the period under review
Prompt
intervention
letter
Urgent
appeal
General
allegation
Other
letter
Response to
prompt
intervention
letter
Response
to urgent
appeal
Response to
general
allegation
Response
to other
letter
Urgent
actions
Standard
cases Government Sources
Sudan 173 - - - - - 173 - 1 - - - 1 - -
Syrian Arab
Republic
102 2 31 - 5 - 130 - 2 - - - 1 - -
Tajikistan 4 - - 1 - - 3 - 1 - - - 1 - -
Thailand 81 - 1 - - - 82 - 1 - - - 1 - -
Timor-Leste 428 - - - - - 428 - - - - - - - -
Togo 10 - - - - - 10 - - - - - - - -
Tunisia 2 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Turkey 62 - 18 1 - - 79 - 1 - - - - - -
Turkmenistan 1 - 2 - - - 3 - - - - - - - -
Uganda 15 - - - - - 15 - - - - - - - -
Ukraine 4 - 1 - - - 5 - 1 - - - - - -
United Arab
Emirates25
12 5 2 - 2 6 16 - 2 - - - 2 - -
Uruguay 19 - - 2 - - 17 - - - - - - - -
Uzbekistan 7 - - - - - 7 - - - - - - - -
Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of)
12 - - - - - 12 - - - - - - - -
Viet Nam 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Yemen 10 - 1 - - - 11 - 1 - - - - - -
Zimbabwe 4 1 - - - - 5 - - - - - - - -
State of
Palestine
4 - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - -
25 The Working Group decided during its 104th session to transfer one case registered under the statistics of the United Arab Emirates to Egypt.
IV. Observations
56. In addition to the observations formulated in its post-sessional documents (see para.
11 above), the Working Group makes the following country-specific observations based on
the cooperation received and on significant developments regarding its mandate during the
whole reporting period.
Albania
57. The Working Group thanks the Government of Albania for the invitation to the
Working Group to visit the country. The Working Group hopes that the visit can be carried
out in the course of 2016
Algeria
58. The Working Group expresses its deep disappointment that, in spite of an official
communication received in February 2014 in which the Government of Algeria invited the
Working Group to visit Algeria during the second semester of 2014, it has not accepted the
different dates offered by the Working Group. The Working Group hopes that it can soon
be allowed to conduct a visit to the country.
Bahrain
59. The Working Group thanks the Government for the reply to the general allegation
sent on 23 September 2014 (see A/HRC/WGEID/104/1, paras. 13-32, and
A/HRC/WGEID/105/1, para. 13 and annex I). It would appreciate receiving additional
information on the specific steps taken by the Government to prevent and terminate alleged
cases of short-term enforced disappearance and on the measures taken to ensure that the
relatives of persons deprived of their liberty are informed accurately and promptly of their
detention, in accordance with article 10 (2) of the Declaration.
60. On 27 October 2014, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit
to the country. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Bangladesh
61. The Working Group regrets that no information has been received from the
Government in connection with a general allegation transmitted on 4 May 2011, concerning
the alleged frequent use of enforced disappearance as a tool by law enforcement agencies,
paramilitary and armed forces to detain and even extrajudicially execute individuals (see
A/HRC/22/45 and Corr.1, para. 33).
62. On 12 March 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit
to the country. No response yet has been received from the Government in spite of a
reminder sent on 28 October 2014. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be
received soon.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
63. In relation to the press release issued on 19 November 2014 (A/HRC/WGEID/105/1,
para. 18), the Working Group reminds the Government that, according to the Declaration,
persons accused of committing enforced disappearances should be prosecuted, tried and, if
found guilty, appropriately punished.
Brazil
64. The Working Group welcomes the release of the report of the Truth Commission,
which recognizes the right to truth in the context of the grave human rights violations that
occurred in the past.
Burundi
65. On 27 May 2009, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit to
the country. Despite reminders sent, no response yet has been received from the
Government. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
66. The Working Group, on the basis of the recommendation of the Special Rapporteur
on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (see
A/HRC/28/71, para. 67), decided to request an invitation to undertake a visit to the country.
The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Egypt
67. The Working Group thanks the Government for the high number of replies which
demonstrate the Government’s commitment to engage with the Working Group and
allowed it to clarify some cases. It is however concerned that, during the reporting period, it
transmitted 66 reported cases of enforced disappearances under the urgent action procedure
to the Government (see A/HRC/WGEID/104/1, para. 53; A/HRC/WGEID/105/1, para. 45;
A/HRC/WGEID/106/1, paras. 25 ff.) in relation to what seems to be a recent pattern of
short-term disappearances. It reiterates that, as provided in article 7 of the Declaration, no
circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances, and that
accurate information on the detention of such persons and their place or places of detention,
including transfers, shall be made promptly available to their family members, their counsel
or to any other persons having a legitimate interest in the information (art. 10 (2) of the
Declaration).
68. On 30 June 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit to
the country. No response yet has been received from the Government in spite of reminders
sent. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
El Salvador
69. With reference to a general allegation and a follow-up thereon transmitted to the
Government (see A/HRC/WGEID/105/1, paras. 52-57, and A/HRC/WGEID/106/1, paras.
39 ff.) the Working Group encourages the Government to intensify its efforts to ensure
truth and justice as well as adequate reparation to victims, in accordance with article 13 (1)
of the Declaration.
70. The Working Group also invites the Government to look into the allegations of new
modalities of current forms of disappearances and to support relatives and victims in this
regard.
Gambia
71. The Working Group is concerned that, during the reporting period, it transmitted to
the Government seven cases under its urgent action procedure (see A/HRC/WGEID/105/1,
para. 58). No response was received thereto. The Working Group recalls articles 7 (“no
circumstances whatsoever … may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances”) and 10
(“accurate information on the detention of such persons and their place or places of
detention, including transfers, shall be made promptly available to their family members,
their counsel or to any other persons having a legitimate interest in the information”) of the
Declaration.
Guatemala
72. The Working Group thanks the Government for the substantive reply dated 16
January 2015 to the communication transmitted on 22 December 2014 (see
A/HRC/WGEID/105/1, paras. 61 and 62 and annex II) concerning the allegations of a
possible application of amnesty for the former Head of State José Efraín Ríos Montt on
charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. In this respect, the Working Group
emphasizes the important of truth and justice for victims reiterating its previous observation
(see A/HRC/27/49, para. 77) that they are both fundamental elements both for reparation
for the victims and to ensure the non-recurrence of the heinous crimes that characterized the
civil war, including enforced disappearances.
India
73. The Working Group regrets that it has not received a reply to a letter, transmitted
jointly with two other special procedures mandate holders on 23 January 2015, concerning
the allegations of continuing construction work on the site of a newly discovered mass
grave (see A/HRC/WGEID/105/1, para. 66). The Working Group emphasized the
importance of preserving mass grave sites, including ensuring that an effective criminal and
forensic investigation can take place, and to take appropriate measures to assist victims to
achieve truth and justice.
74. On 16 August 2010, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit
to the country. No positive response has been received yet in spite of reminders sent. The
Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Iraq
75. The Working Group regrets that it has not received during the reporting period any
information regarding the outstanding cases, including the seven individuals abducted in
September 2013 (see AHRC/27/49, para. 80).
Kenya
76. The Working Group is concerned at the lack of replies from the Government to its
communications, including a general allegation transmitted on 30 September 2014 in
relation to enforced disappearances and other human rights violations reportedly carried out
by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (see A/HRC/WGEID/104/1, paras. 71-78). It recalls
Human Rights Council resolution 21/4, in which the Council urges States to cooperate with
the Working Group to help it to carry out its mandate effectively. The Working Group
reiterates that, as provided in article 7 of the Declaration, no circumstances whatsoever may
be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.
77. On 19 February 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a
visit to the country. No response yet has been received from the Government in spite of a
reminder sent on 28 October 2014. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be
received soon.
Mexico
78. The follow-up report on the implementation of the recommendations made by the
Working Group after its visit to Mexico in 2011 (see A/HRC/19/58/Add.2) can be found in
document A/HRC/30/38/Add.4. The Working Group thanks the Government of Mexico for
its cooperation throughout the process and hopes that the recommendations contained
therein will be duly implemented.
Morocco
79. The Working Group reiterates the observations contained in the previous annual
report (A/HRC/27/49, para. 86) on the importance to ensure the right to truth for the
families of victims, including a full and independent investigation into the allegations of
enforced disappearances. In this respect, the Working Group recommends the Government
to take in adequate account all the information available on enforced disappearances,
including that of forensic experts. It also recalls article 13, paragraph 4, of the Declaration,
which provides that the findings of investigation on cases of enforced disappearances shall
be made available upon request to all persons concerned, unless doing so would jeopardize
an ongoing criminal investigation.
Pakistan
80. The Working Group is concerned that, during the reporting period, it transmitted to
the Government 57 new cases under its urgent action procedure (see
A/HRC/WGEID/104/1, para. 93; A/HRC/WGEID/105/1, para. 96; A/HRC/WGEID/106/1,
para. 58). It reiterates that, as provided in article 7 of the Declaration, no circumstances
whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances, and that accurate
information on the detention of such persons and their place or places of detention,
including transfers, shall be made promptly available to their family members, their counsel
or to any other persons having a legitimate interest in the information (art. 10 (2) of the
Declaration). The Working Group thanks the Government for the reply dated 6 May 2015
providing information on a high number of cases and reiterating the Government’s
commitment to remain engaged with the Working Group. The reply will be considered in
detail at next session of the Working Group.
Paraguay
81. In relation to the general allegation of 7 October 2014 (see A/HRC/WGEID/104/1,
paras. 97-107), while the Working Group appreciates the reply received on 7 January 2015
(see A/HRC/WGEID/105/1, paras. 111-115), it considers that more efforts should be made
to establish the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared persons and to identify the bodies.
Russian Federation
82. On 2 November 2006, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a
visit to the country. No positive response has been received yet in spite of reminders sent.
The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Rwanda
83. On 27 October 2014, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit
to the country. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Spain
84. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligation to either investigate
cases of enforced disappearances or, alternatively, cooperate with other countries who want
to investigate and prosecute these cases, including by extraditing suspects present in its
territory (see A/HRC/WGEID/106/1, para. 68). The Working Group emphasizes that, in
accordance with article 17 of the Declaration, acts constituting enforced disappearance shall
be considered a continuing offence as long as the perpetrators continue to conceal the fate
and the whereabouts of persons who have disappeared and these facts remain unclarified.
Sri Lanka
85. The Working Group appreciates the invitation received from the Government to visit
Sri Lanka from 3 to 12 August 2015. It notes however that, on 17 July 2015, the
Government has requested a postponement of the visit in the light of the proximity of the
dates scheduled for the visit with the Parliamentary elections. The Working Group notes the
commitment expressed by the Government to ensure that the visit can take place at a
mutually agreed date before the end of 2015.
Syrian Arab Republic
86. The Working Group continues to be gravely concerned about the situation in the
Syrian Arab Republic, which may facilitate the occurrence of enforced disappearances. It
reiterates article 7 of the Declaration, which provides that no circumstances whatsoever
may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.
87. On 19 September 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a
visit to the country. No response yet has been received from the Government in spite of
reminders sent. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Thailand
88. With reference to its previous observations on the matter (see
A/HRC/WGEID/104/1, para. 140), the Working Group emphasizes that democratic order
and the rule of law are essential elements to prevent the occurrence of enforced
disappearances.
89. On 30 June 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit to
the country. No positive response yet has been received from the Government in spite of
reminders sent. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Timor-Leste
90. The follow-up report on the implementation of the recommendations made by the
Working Group after its visit to Timor-Leste in 2011 (A/HRC/19/58/Add.1) can be found
in document A/HRC/30/38/Add.4. The Working Group regrets that the Government of
Timor-Leste did not cooperate with the Working Group in the process of producing the
follow-up report. It hopes that the recommendations contained in the report will be duly
implemented.
Turkey
91. The Working Group appreciates the invitation received from the Government to visit
Turkey in November 2015 and looks forward to the visit.
United Arab Emirates
92. On 13 September 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a
visit to the country. No response yet has been received from the Government in spite of a
reminder sent on 27 October 2014. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be
received soon.
Ukraine
93. The Working Group continues to be gravely concerned about the situation in
Ukraine, which may facilitate the occurrence of enforced disappearances. It reiterates
article 7 of the Declaration, which provides that no circumstances whatsoever may be
invoked to justify enforced disappearances.
Uruguay
94. The Working Group encourages the Government of Uruguay to deepen and
strengthen the efforts to secure the right to truth and justice for enforced disappearances, in
accordance with international standards.
Yemen
95. The Working Group is concerned about the deteriorating situation in Yemen, which
may facilitate the occurrence of enforced disappearances. It reiterates article 7 of the
Declaration, which provides that no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify
enforced disappearances.
V. Conclusions and recommendations
96. The Working Group finalized its study on enforced or involuntary
disappearances and economic, social and cultural rights, which is presented as an
addendum to this report (see paras. 52-55 above). It will continue to conduct studies
on thematic issues of relevance to its mandate and has decided to conduct the next one
on enforced disappearances in the context of migration.
97. Sadly, enforced disappearances are not a crime of the past but continue to be
used across the world with the false and pernicious belief that they are a useful tool to
preserve national security and combat terrorism or organized crime.
98. During the reporting period, the Working Group transmitted 384 newly
reported cases of disappearance to 33 States. It used the urgent action procedure in
151 of those cases, which allegedly occurred within the three months preceding the
receipt of the report by the Working Group.
99. The year 2015 marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of the creation of the
Working Group. The Working Group is grateful to the Government of Argentina for
its invitation to hold the 105th session of the Working Group in Argentina, from 2 to 6
March 2015, in a former secret detention centre, to symbolically mark that date.
Much has been achieved during those 35 years to bring truth and justice to victims,
although it is still too little vis-à-vis the suffering of all relatives who are still searching
for their loved ones. During the reporting period, the Working Group was only able to
clarify 65 cases of enforced disappearance. More than 43,000 cases still remain
unclarified, many dating back decades. Cases remain outstanding with the Working
Group for a number of reasons, notably for the lack of sufficient State willingness,
capacity and/or efforts to establish the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared.
States should urgently take into account the sufferings of the families and strengthen
their efforts to search for the disappeared persons. The Working Group emphasized
in that respect the importance of expanding the use of forensic expertise and DNA
testing.
100. In spite of the large number of cases, underreporting remains a major problem,
and is due to various reasons, including fear of reprisals, weak administration of
justice, ineffectual reporting channels, institutionalized systems of impunity, poverty,
illiteracy, language barriers, a practice of silence and restrictions on the work of civil
society. More assistance should be provided to family members and members of civil
society to enable them to report cases to the Working Group and more importantly to
keep working on enforced disappearance issues.
101. The Working Group cannot discharge its mandate without the cooperation of
States, particularly in providing information to the families about the fate or
whereabouts of disappeared persons. In that respect, the Working Group remains
concerned that, of the 84 States with outstanding cases, a significant number have
never replied to the Working Group or have provided responses that do not contain
any relevant information. The Working Group urges all States to fulfil their
obligations under the Declaration and the relevant resolutions of the General
Assembly and the Human Rights Council to properly investigate cases of enforced
disappearances and to cooperate with the Working Group.
102. During the reporting period, the Working Group continued to observe a
pattern of “short-term” enforced disappearances being used in a number of countries.
The Working Group expresses its deep concern at the phenomenon. It stresses that
there is no time limit, no matter how short, for an enforced disappearance to occur
and that accurate information on the detention of any person deprived of liberty and
their place of detention shall be made promptly available to their family members.
103. The Working Group is also concerned about the deteriorating situation in a
number of countries, as reflected in the present report. It reiterates article 7 of the
Declaration, which provides that no circumstances whatsoever, whether a threat of
war, a state of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may
be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.
104. The Working Group continues to note a pattern of threats, intimidation and
reprisals against victims of enforced disappearance, including family members,
witnesses and human rights defenders working on such cases. It calls upon States to
take specific measures to prevent such acts, protect those working on cases of enforced
disappearances and punish the perpetrators, in accordance with article 13 (1) and (3)
of the Declaration. The Working Group reiterates its support for the establishment of
a United Nations-wide senior focal point to engage with all stakeholders, in particular
Member States, to promote the prevention of, protection against and accountability
for reprisals and intimidation related to cooperation with the United Nations, its
representatives and mechanisms (see A/HRC/27/49, para. 119). It regrets that no
progress has been made on that matter during the reporting period.
105. Country visits are an integral part of the mandate fulfilled by the Working
Group. Visits allow the Working Group to highlight country practices in addressing
enforced disappearance, to assist States in reducing obstacles to implement the
Declaration and to ensure direct contact with the family members of victims. The
Working Group thanks the Governments of Albania, Sri Lanka, the Sudan and
Turkey for the invitations extended during the reporting period. It also recognizes the
support provided by the Governments of Croatia, Montenegro, Peru and Serbia
during the visits carried out in the reporting period. During that period, the Working
Group requested visits to Albania, Bahrain, the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Rwanda and South Africa. In addition to those new requests, the
Working Group has requested in the past a visit to the following countries, without
having yet received a positive response: Bangladesh, Belarus, Burundi, China, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Nicaragua, the Philippines, the Russian Federation,
South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates,
Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. There are other countries that have invited the Working
Group to visit and/or confirmed invitations, but for which specific dates to visit have
not been agreed, such as Algeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Working
Group therefore calls upon all States with pending requests for visits to respond
favourably to them in the light of Human Rights Council resolution 21/4, and those
that have agreed to visits to respond as soon as possible with specific dates.
106. The Working Group once again calls upon States that have not signed and/or
ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance to do so as soon as possible and to accept the competence of the
Committee on Enforced Disappearances to receive individual cases under article 31,
and inter-State complaints under article 32 of the Convention.
107. The Working Group is concerned about increasing instances of abductions
carried out by non-State actors, which may be tantamount of acts of enforced
disappearances. The Working Group has decided to continue paying attention to and
studying the question of disappearances carried out by non-State actors in order to
determine if those situations fall under its mandate and, if so, what actions should be
taken. The Working Group calls on all relevant stakeholders to take appropriate
measures in relation to this issue and to provide information to, and share their views
on this matter with, the Working Group.
108. The Working Group is grateful to the Human Rights Council and the General
Assembly for the recognition, through the granting of an additional post under the
regular budget, of its need to receive additional support, given its huge workload and
variety of activities. It is also thankful for the continuous support, including through
voluntary contributions, provided by donor States, notably Argentina, France and
Japan The Working Group calls on all States for greater assistance to allow it to
better accomplish its mandate.
109. The obligations to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearance and to secure
the right to truth, justice and reparation of victims remain the same although there
are changing circumstances in which enforced disappearances occur or in which
public policies are developed. Thus new strategies to counter this heinous crime are
needed and the Working Group urges States to adopt and/or strengthen measures as
to fulfil the obligations laid out in the Declaration.
Annex I
[English only]
Country visit requests and invitations extended
Invitations extended to the WGEID
Country Date
Albania tbd
Algeria 1 tbd
Ecuador tbd
Iran (Islamic Republic of) 2 tbd
Kyrgyzstan tbd
Libya tbd, postponed
Sri Lanka 3-12 August 2015 (postponed)
Sudan tbd
Turkey 16-20 November 2015
Tajikistan tbd
Visits requested by the WGEID
Country Request sent Last reminder sent
Bahrain 27 October 2014 28 October 2014
Bangladesh 12 March 2013 28 October 2014
Belarus 30 June 2011 28 October 2014
Burundi 27 May 2009 27 October 2014
China 19 February 2013 28 October 2014
Egypt 30 June 2011 27 October 2014
India 16 August 2010 28 October 2014
Indonesia 12 December 2006 28 October 2014
Kenya 19 February 2013 28 October 2014
Nepal 12 May 2006 27 October 2014
Nicaragua 23 May 2006 27 October 2014
1 Please refer to para. 58 of the current document.
2 Please refer to para. 33 of the current document.
Visits requested by the WGEID
Country Request sent Last reminder sent
Philippines 3 April 2013 28 October 2014
Russian Federation 2 November 2006 28 October 2014
Rwanda 27 October 2014 28 October 2014
South Africa 28 October 2014 28 October 2014
South Sudan 29 August 2011 28 October 2014
Syrian Arab Republic 19 September 2011 27 October 2014
Thailand 30 June 2011 28 October 2014
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
27 October 2014 27 October 2014
United Arab Emirates 13 September 2013 27 October 2014
Uzbekistan 30 June 2011 28 October 2014
Zimbabwe 20 July 2009 28 October 2014
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Annex II
[English only]
Statistical summary: cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance reported to the Working Group between 1980 and 2015, and general allegations transmitted
States/entities
Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification
Discontinued
cases
Closed
cases
General Allegation
Outstanding cases Total
Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female
Afghanistan 3 - 3 - - - - - - - - - -
Albania 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Algeria 3 104 20 3 132 21 9 20 11 10 8 - - Yes (2013) Yes
Angola 2 - 12 1 7 - - - 7 3 - - -
Argentina1 3 271 735 3 449 774 124 52 30 5 141 - - - -
Bahrain 3 - 12 - 2 7 2 7 - - - Yes (2014) Yes
Bangladesh 30 1 31 2 1 - 1 - - - - Yes (2011) No
Belarus 3 - 3 - - - - - - - - - -
Bhutan 5 - 5 - - - - - - - - - -
Bolivia (Plurinational
State of)
28 3 48 3 19 1 19 - 1 - - - -
Bosnia and Herzegovina - - - - - - - - - - - Yes (2009/
2011/2014)
Yes
Brazil 13 - 63 4 46 4 1 - 49 - - - -
Bulgaria - - 3 - 3 - - - 3 - -
Burkina Faso - - - 3 - - - 3 - -
Burundi 52 - 53 - - 1 1 - - - - - -
Cambodia 1 - 3 - - - - - - 2 -
1 The Working Group determined that one case was a duplicate and subsequently deleted it from its records.
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2 6
States/entities
Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification
Discontinued
cases
Closed
cases
General Allegation
Outstanding cases Total
Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female
Cameroon 14 - 19 - 5 - 4 1 - - - - -
Central African Republic 3 - 3 - - - - - - - - Yes (2013) No
Chad 23 - 34 - 3 8 9 1 1 - - - -
Chile 786 63 908 65 98 23 2 - 119 - - - -
China 40 10 132 21 77 15 55 35 2 - - Yes
(2010/2011)
Yes
Colombia 971 96 1 258 126 219 68 160 24 103 - - Yes (2012/
2013/2015)
Yes
Congo 89 3 115 3 - - - - - - - - -
Cuba 0 0 1 0 1 - - 1 - - - - -
Czech Republic - - - - - - - - - - - Yes (2009) Yes
Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea
53 10 53 10 - - - - - - - Yes (2012) No
Democratic Republic
of the Congo
47 11 56 11 6 3 9 - - - - Yes (2015) No
Denmark - - 1 - - 1 - 1 - - - Yes (2009) No
Dominican Republic 2 - 5 - 2 - 2 - - 1 - - -
Ecuador 5 - 27 2 18 4 12 4 6 - - - -
Egypt2 124 1 159 2 11 24 5 30 - - - Yes (2011) Yes
El Salvador 2 280 296 2 671 333 318 73 196 175 20 - - Yes (20153) No
Equatorial Guinea 8 - 8 - - - - - - - - - -
Eritrea 56 4 56 4 - - - - - - - Yes (2012) No
Ethiopia 112 1 119 2 3 4 2 5 - - - - -
France 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Gambia 7 2 11 2 - 4 4 - - - - - -
2 The Working Group determined that one case was a duplicate and subsequently deleted it from its records.
3 The Working Group transmitted one General Allegation and a follow-up General Allegation to El Salvador in 2015.
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7
States/entities
Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification
Discontinued
cases
Closed
cases
General Allegation
Outstanding cases Total
Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female
Georgia 0 - 1 - 1 - - - 1 - - - -
Greece 1 - 3 - - - - - - 2 - - -
Guatemala4 2 897 372 3 154 390 177 80 187 6 64 - - Yes
(2011/2013)
Yes
Guinea 37 2 44 2 - 7 - - 7 - - - -
Haiti 38 1 48 1 9 1 1 4 5 - - - -
Honduras 130 21 210 34 37 43 54 8 18 - - - -
India 354 11 434 13 68 12 51 7 22 - - Yes (2009/
2011/2013)
No
Indonesia 163 3 166 3 3 - 3 - - - - Yes
(2011/2013)
No
Iran (Islamic Republic of) 522 102 541 103 14 5 8 2 9 - - - -
Iraq 16 408 2 300 16 555 2 317 117 30 122 16 9 - - - -
Ireland - - - - - - - - - - - Yes (2009) No
Israel 2 - 3 - - 1 - - - - - - -
Japan - - 4 3 - - - - - - - - -
Jordan 3 - 3 - - - - - - - - - -
Kazakhstan - - 2 - - 2 - - - - - - -
Kenya 61 - 61 - - - - - - - - Yes
(2011/2014)
No
Kuwait 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Lao People’s Democratic
Republic
2 1 8 1 - 5 - 4 1 1 - - -
Lebanon 313 19 321 19 2 6 7 1 - - - - -
Libya 10 1 18 1 - 8 6 2 - - - Yes (2014) No
Lithuania - - - - - - - - - - - Yes (2012) Yes
4 The Working Group determined that one case is a duplicate and subsequently deleted it from its records.
A /H
R C
/3 0
/3 8
2 8
States/entities
Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification
Discontinued
cases
Closed
cases
General Allegation
Outstanding cases Total
Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female
Malaysia - - 2 - - 1 - 1 - 1 - - -
Mauritania 4 - 4 - - - - - - - - - -
Mexico 366 33 545 43 134 29 77 18 68 16 - Yes
(2013/2014)
No
Montenegro - - 16 1 1 - - 1 - 14 1 - -
Morocco 86 8 320 30 160 52 142 16 55 21 - Yes (2013) Yes
Mozambique 2 - 2 - - - - - - - - - -
Myanmar 2 1 9 6 7 - 5 2 - - - - -
Namibia 2 - 3 - - 1 1 - - - - - -
Nepal 459 56 673 72 135 79 153 60 1 - - Yes (2014) No
Nicaragua 103 2 234 4 112 19 45 11 75 - - - -
Nigeria - - 6 - 6 - 6 - - - - - -
Oman 1 - 2 - - 1 1 - - - - - -
Pakistan 200 2 267 2 42 24 39 17 10 - - Yes (2015) Yes5
Paraguay - - 23 - 20 - 19 - 1 3 - Yes (2014) Yes
Peru6 2 365 236 3 006 311 253 388 450 85 106 - - - -
Philippines 625 74 786 94 126 35 108 19 29 - - Yes
(2009/2012)
No
Romania - - 1 - 1 - 1 - - - - - -
Russian Federation 476 25 488 27 2 10 12 - - - - - -
Rwanda 22 2 25 2 - 2 1 1 - 1 - - -
Saudi Arabia 5 - 15 - 4 4 3 4 1 2 - - -
Senegal 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Serbia - - 1 - 1 - 1 - - - - - -
5 The Working Group received a reply to the General Allegation from the Government of Pakistan during its 106th session. The content of the reply
will be reviewed during the 107th session of the Working Group.
6 The Working Group determined that two cases are duplicates and subsequently deleted them from its records.
A /H
R C
/3 0
/3 8
2
9
States/entities
Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification
Discontinued
cases
Closed
cases
General Allegation
Outstanding cases Total
Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female
Seychelles 3 - 3 - - - - - - - - - -
Somalia 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
South Africa 1 1 12 2 3 2 1 1 3 6 -
South Sudan 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Spain 6 - 8 - 2 - - - 2 - - Yes (2014) Yes
Sri Lanka 5 750 100 12341 170 6 551 40 118 27 6 446 - - Yes
(2011/2014)
Yes
Sudan 173 5 383 37 205 4 209 - - - - - -
Switzerland 0 - 1 - 1 - - 1 - - - - -
Syrian Arab Republic 130 11 186 12 15 41 30 20 6 - - Yes (2)
(2011)
Yes
Tajikistan 3 - 10 - 5 2 1 - 6 - - - -
Thailand 82 8 90 8 2 - 1 1 - 2 - Yes No
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
- - - - - - - - - - - Yes (2009) No
Timor-Leste 428 28 504 36 58 18 51 23 2 - - - -
Togo 10 2 11 2 - 1 1 - - - - - -
Tunisia 2 - 19 1 12 5 1 16 - - - - -
Turkey 79 2 202 11 73 49 71 24 27 1 - - -
Turkmenistan 3 - 5 - 2 - - 2 - - - - -
Uganda 15 2 22 4 2 5 2 5 - - - - -
Ukraine 5 - 7 - 2 - 1 - 1 - - - -
United Arab Emirates 16 3 36 3 2 18 4 16 - - - - -
United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern
Ireland
- - 1 - - - - - - - -
United Republic of
Tanzania
- - 2 - 2 - 2 - - - -
United States of America - - 1 - 1 - - - - - -
A /H
R C
/3 0
/3 8
3 0
States/entities
Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification
Discontinued
cases
Closed
cases
General Allegation
Outstanding cases Total
Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female
Uruguay 17 2 31 7 13 1 5 4 5 - - Yes (2013) Yes
Uzbekistan 7 - 20 - 12 1 2 11 - - - - -
Venezuela (Bolivarian
Republic of)
12 2 16 3 4 - 1 - 3 - - - -
Viet Nam 1 - 2 - 1 - - - - - - - -
Yemen 11 - 169 - 135 9 66 5 73 14 - - -
Zambia - - 1 1 - 1 - 1 - - -
Zimbabwe 5 1 7 1 1 1 1 - 1 - - Yes (2009) No
State of Palestine 4 1 4 1 - - - - - - - - -
Annex III
[English only]
Graphs showing the number of cases of enforced disappearances per year and per country according to the cases transmitted by the Working Group during the period 1980–15 May 2015 (only for countries with more than 100 cases transmitted)