39/46 Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
Document Type: Final Report
Date: 2018 Jul
Session: 39th Regular Session (2018 Sep)
Agenda Item: Item3: Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development
GE.18-12552(E)
Human Rights Council Thirty-ninth session
10–28 September 2018 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
Note by the Secretariat
The Secretariat has the honour to transmit to the Human Rights Council, the report
of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, prepared pursuant to
Council resolution 7/12. The Working Group was established by resolution 20 (XXXVI) of
the Commission on Human Rights and its mandate was most recently extended by the
Council in its resolution 36/6.
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 assist and 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
prevention and eradication of enforced disappearances.
Since its inception in 1980, the Working Group has transmitted a total of 57,149
cases to 108 States. The number of cases under active consideration stands at 45,499 in a
total of 92 States. During the reporting period, 404 cases were clarified.
In its report, the Working Group provides information on the activities carried out
and the communications and cases examined from 18 May 2017 to 2 May 2018. The report
includes a section on the preliminary observations on the issue of standards and public
policies for an effective investigation of enforced disappearances.
United Nations A/HRC/39/46
Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances*
Contents
Page
I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3
II. Activities of the Working Group from 18 May 2017 to 2 May 2018 ............................................ 3
A. Activities ............................................................................................................................... 3
B. Meetings ............................................................................................................................... 4
C. Communications ................................................................................................................... 4
D. Country visits ........................................................................................................................ 5
E. Follow-up reports and other procedures ............................................................................... 5
F. Press releases and statements ................................................................................................ 5
G. Interim report on standards and public policies for an
effective investigation of enforced disappearances............................................................... 7
III. Decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group and communications
transmitted to the States concerned during the reporting period ................................................... 12
IV. Observations .................................................................................................................................. 18
V. Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................... 25
Annexes
I. Country visit requests and invitations extended ............................................................................ 27
II. Statistical summary: cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance reported to
the Working Group between 1980 and 2018, and general allegations transmitted ....................... 29
III. Graphs showing the number of cases of enforced disappearances by country and by year
according to the cases transmitted by the Working Group during the period between 1980
and 2 May 2018 (only for countries with more than 100 cases transmitted) ................................. 35
* The annexes to the present report are circulated without formal editing in the language of submission only.
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). The mandate was most recently
extended by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 36/6.
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 of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from
Enforced Disappearance (General Assembly resolution 47/133), the Working Group was
entrusted with monitoring 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 contains information on the activities of and communications and
cases examined by the Working Group from 18 May 2017 to 2 May 2018. 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 section III.
5. Since its inception, the Working Group has transmitted a total of 57,149 cases to 108
States. The number of cases under active consideration that have not yet been clarified,
closed or discontinued stands at 45,499 in a total of 92 States. During the reporting period,
404 cases were clarified.
II. Activities of the Working Group from 18 May 2017 to 2 May 2018
A. Activities
6. During the period under review, the Working Group held three sessions: the 113th
session, from 11 to 15 September 2017 (A/HRC/WGEID/113/1); the 114th session from 5
to 9 February 2018 (A/HRC/WGEID/114/1); and the 115th session from 23 April to 2 May
2018 (A/HRC/WGEID/115/1). The reports on the sessions should be considered
complements to the present report. The 114th session was held in Brussels and the other
sessions were held in Geneva.
7. During the 113th session, Bernard Duhaime was appointed Chair-Rapporteur of the
Working Group and Tae-Ung Baik as Vice-Chair.
8. On 11 September 2017, former Chair-Rapporteur Houria Es Slami presented the
annual report for the period from 19 May 2016 to 17 May 2017, and its addenda, to the
Human Rights Council at its thirtieth-sixth session, and participated in the interactive
dialogue with States.
9. Between 27 and 30 June 2017, the former Chair-Rapporteur represented the
Working Group during the 24th annual meeting of the special procedure mandate holders of
the Human Rights Council.
10. On 20 October 2017, the Chair-Rapporteur addressed the General Assembly at its
seventy-second session and participated in the interactive dialogue with Member States.
11. The Working Group continues its practice of holding one of its sessions every year
outside Geneva. The Working Group held its 114th session in Brussels from 5 to 9
February 2018. The Working Group is grateful to the Government of Belgium for this
opportunity.
12. On 5 February 2018, the Working Group held a public event on enforced
disappearances in the twenty-first century at the margins of its 114th session in Brussels.1
13. During the reporting period, all the members of the Working Group carried out a
number of activities connected to enforced disappearances, which included their
participation in conferences, consultations, seminars, training events, workshops and
lectures, organized by Governments and/or civil society organizations.
14. The Working Group is thankful for the continuous support, including through
voluntary contributions, provided by donor States, notably, France, Japan and the Republic
of Korea.
B. Meetings
15. During the period under review, representatives of the Governments of Argentina
(113th), Angola (113th), Bahrain (113th); Egypt (113th and 115th), Japan (113th, 114th
and 115th), Mexico (114th), Morocco (113th, 114th and 115th), Pakistan (115th), Portugal
(113th, 114th and 115th), Sudan (115th), Thailand (115th), Turkmenistan (113th and 115th)
and Viet Nam (114th) 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.
C. Communications
16. During the reporting period, the Working Group transmitted 802 new cases of
enforced disappearance to 40 States.
17. The Working Group transmitted 264 of the above-mentioned cases under the urgent
action procedure to 21 States.
18. The Working Group clarified 404 cases in 17 States. Of the 404 cases, 337 were
clarified on the basis of information provided by Governments and 67 on the basis of
information provided by sources.
19. The Working Group transmitted 9 prompt intervention communications addressing
allegations of harassment of and/or threats to human rights defenders and relatives of
disappeared persons in: Egypt (4), Guatemala (1), India (1), Iran (Islamic Republic of) (2)
and Pakistan (1).
20. The Working Group transmitted 14 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: Afghanistan (1), Azerbaijan (1), Bahrain
(1), Burundi (1), China (1), Democratic Republic of the Congo (1), Egypt (2), Iraq (1),
Lebanon (1), Libya (1), Mexico (1), Saudi Arabia (1) and Sudan (1).
21. The Working Group transmitted 10 general allegations — related to obstacles in the
implementation of the Declaration — to the Governments of: Algeria (1), Burundi (1),
China (1), Colombia (1), Egypt (1), Mexico (1), Pakistan (1), Russian Federation (1),
Thailand (1) and Uruguay (1).
22. It also transmitted 10 other letters addressing issues related to enforced
disappearances to the Governments of: Argentina (1), Chad (1), Egypt (1), Guatemala (1),
Kenya (1), Mexico (2), Nepal (1), Peru (1) and Uganda (1).
1 See www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Disappearances/EnforcedDisappearance21stCentury.pdf.
D. Country visits
23. The Working Group visited the Gambia from 12 to 19 June 2017 (see
A/HRC/39/46/Add.1). The Working Group thanks the Government of the Gambia for the
invitation and for the cooperation extended to it before, during and after its visit. It
encourages the Government of the Gambia to fully implement the recommendations
contained in the country visit report.
24. The Working Group also thanks the Governments of Ukraine and Mali, which have
extended an invitation to the Working Group to visit their countries during the reporting
period. The visit to Ukraine took place from 11 to 20 June 2018 and the visit to Mali is
scheduled to take place in the last quarter of 2018.
25. During the reporting period, the Working Group requested visits to Lebanon, Mali
and Yemen.
26. In addition to these new requests, the Working Group reiterated its requests, to
which it has still not received a positive response, to visit: Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus,
Burundi, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russian Federation,
Rwanda, South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkmenistan, 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
27. The visit to the Sudan scheduled for November 2017 was postponed due to a lack of
understanding about the terms of reference for the visit (see para. 130 below).
28. The Working Group once again recalls that the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to a
visit by the Working Group in 2004, more than a decade ago, which was delayed at the
request of the Government. Similarly, the Working Group reiterates its regret that it has yet
to visit Algeria, in spite of an invitation extended in 2014.
29. In February 2016, the Government of South Sudan invited the Working Group to
visit. However, it did not respond to a subsequent letter from the Working Group sent in
April 2016, proposing two dates for a visit to the country in the last quarter of 2017. The
visit to Libya, postponed in May 2013 for security reasons, is still pending.
E. Follow-up reports and other procedures
30. The Working Group has prepared follow-up reports on the implementation of
recommendations made following its visits to Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as
Kosovo. 3 The follow-up reports are contained in an addendum to the present report
(A/HRC/39/46/Add.2). The Working Group encourages all concerned actors to implement
the outstanding recommendations.
F. Press releases and statements
31. On 16 June 2017, the Working Group issued a press release requesting the Supreme
Court of Argentina to reconsider a judgment to reduce sentences, including in cases of
crimes against humanity.4
32. On 19 June 2017, the Working Group issued a press release on its preliminary
observations on its visit to the Gambia.5
2 Please see annex I for country visit requests and invitations extended.
3 All references to Kosovo in the present document should be understood to be in compliance with
Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
4 See www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21758&LangID=S.
5 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21771&LangID=E.
33. On 19 July 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other
mandate holders, urging the Mexican Government to carry out a transparent, independent
and impartial investigation into allegations of monitoring and illegal surveillance against
human rights defenders, social activists and journalists.6
34. On 29 August 2017, 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 on States worldwide to ratify the International
Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.7
35. On 11 September 2017, on the occasion of the presentation by the Chair-Rapporteur
of the Working Group’s annual report to the Human Rights Council, the Working Group
issued a press release warning States that migrants were facing heightened risks of
becoming victims of enforced disappearance and that the international community should
do much more in that respect.8
36. On 15 September 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other
mandate holders, expressing dismay at the arrest in Egypt of lawyer Ibrahim Metwally en
route to meet them in Geneva.9
37. On 18 September 2017, at the conclusion of its 113th session, the Working Group
issued a press release.10
38. On 20 October 2017, on the occasion of a presentation by the Chair-Rapporteur of
the Working Group to the General Assembly, the Working Group issued a press release
calling on States to put an end to the scourge of enforced disappearance, which should not
exist in the twenty-first century.11
39. On 23 November 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other
mandate holders, condemning the jailing of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong.12
40. On 1 December 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with several
other mandate holders, urging States to ensure a human rights-centered approach when
developing the global compact for migration, as they were entering the stocktaking and
negotiating phase.13
41. On 5 December 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other
mandate holders and expert bodies, welcoming the conviction of 48 people in Argentina,
including military personnel and civilians, for torture, murder and enforced disappearances
during the country’s previous military dictatorship.14
42. On 14 December 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with
several other mandate holders, calling on Mexico to reject a draft law on internal security
and warning that giving the armed forces a leading role in security matters could weaken
the protection of human rights.15
43. On 28 December 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other
mandate holders, regretting the granting of the pardon to former President Fujimori in
Peru.16
44. On 16 January 2018, the Working Group issued a press release welcoming the entry
into force of the law on disappearance in Mexico.17
6 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21892&LangID=E.
7 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22005&LangID=E.
8 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22047&LangID=E.
9 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22079&LangID=E.
10 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22122&LangID=E.
11 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22270&LangID=E.
12 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22437&LangID=E.
13 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22477&LangID=E.
14 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22490&LangID=E.
15 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22535&LangID=E.
16 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22568&LangID=E.
45. On 26 January 2018, the Working Group issued a press release calling on Egypt to
halt all pending executions following repeated allegations of death sentences handed out on
the basis of evidence obtained through torture or ill-treatment, often during a period of
enforced disappearance.18
46. On 9 February 2018, at the conclusion of its 114th session, the Working Group
issued a press release.19
47. On 23 March 2018, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other
mandate holders, expressing concern about the health of human rights lawyer Jiang
Tianyong jailed in China.20
48. On 30 April 2018, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other
special procedure mechanisms, expressing concern at the trial of four men in Bahrain that
reportedly breached fair trial and due process guarantees, including confessions obtained
under torture.21
G. Interim report on standards and public policies for an effective
investigation of enforced disappearances
1. Introduction
49. Enforced disappearances differ from other crimes against a person’s liberty because
of the participation of the State (directly or with its support or acquiescence) and the denial
of such a deprivation of liberty or concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the victim.
This generates impunity and harms the relatives of the disappeared, who are also
considered victims of the crime, in a particular way.22
50. Faced with this reality, and its recurrence (even systematically and in a generalized
way), in different parts of the world, international human rights law has been slowly
building a legal framework to protect against enforced disappearances. One of the first
developments in this direction was the obligation of States to investigate disappearances
effectively, exhaustively and impartially, as established by international human rights
instruments.
51. This obligation has been developed through the jurisprudence of both international
bodies and national courts, as well as the practice of different States. Currently, the
obligation to investigate also has a strong normative basis in the Declaration on the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance23 and the International Convention
for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.24
52. However, the question of how to implement this obligation (i.e. based on which
standards or through which public policies or institutions) deserves to be studied carefully
and comparatively, in order to recognize good practices and be able to detect negative
experiences.
53. As has been described in the updated set of principles to combat impunity, an
effective policy to combat impunity requires a multifaceted strategy, with each component
playing a necessary but only partial role (see E/CN.4/2004/88, para. 10).
17 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22588&LangID=E.
18 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22613&LangID=E.
19 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22653&LangID=E.
20 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22890&LangID=E.
21 See www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23010&LangID=E.
22 See art. 24 (1) of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance.
23 See art. 13, which establishes the right “to complain to a competent and independent State authority
and to have that complaint promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated by that authority” for
any person having knowledge or a legitimate interest who alleges that a person has been subjected to
enforced disappearance.
24 See art. 12.
54. With this in mind, the Working Group decided to address the issue of standards and
public policies for an effective investigation of enforced disappearances. In the present
report, the Working Group outlines the main elements around this issue, with the aim of
studying them further over the course of the next reporting cycle. The Working Group will
hold an expert consultation and is open to receive inputs on the issue from States, families
of the disappeared, civil society, United Nations mechanisms or agencies and other
interested stakeholders.
2. Existing standards
55. The study will compile, in accordance with international human rights law, in
particular the Declaration and the Convention, which rights and State obligations arise from
the duty to investigate. Many of these rights and obligations stem from the three
international human rights instruments on enforced disappearances,25 while others derive
from provisions contained in other human rights treaties, 26 customary law, soft law or
national or international court decisions.
56. The obligation to investigate with due diligence was originally included in the first
judgment of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the Velásquez Rodríguez case27
and later developed in multiple court judgments. The first set of Court judgments dealt with
the complete lack of national investigations in many Latin American countries, which had
faced dictatorships from the 1960s to the 1980s. Habeas corpus proceedings were usually
futile, judiciaries commonly lacked impartiality and the systems for criminal investigation
and prosecution were not prepared to deal with crimes committed or sponsored by States.
57. This is why international human rights mechanisms, triggered by the litigation
initiated by the families of the disappeared, had to decide on cases of enforced
disappearances that had begun a long time before. Many local cases were closed as a result
of statutes of limitations; many others were dropped with the justification that, in the
absence of a body, there was no criminal responsibility; but most of the investigations were
halted in the context of amnesty laws or were ineffectively carried out by military
jurisdictions. In addition to total impunity, searches were not carried out for the victims, as
they were only conceived as being necessary as part of a criminal investigation. Such
circumstances also occurred in other regions in which enforced disappearances were and
are still being committed, as the Working Group has been documenting since 1980.
58. The reaction from international human rights bodies was the development of
jurisprudence based on existing human rights treaties and specific instruments focusing on
enforced disappearances, notably the Declaration, the Convention and the Inter-American
Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons, in which many of the standards related to
the duty to investigate were developed and later enriched by the human rights mechanisms
mandated to monitor and enforce them.
59. Article 18 of the Declaration prohibits amnesties or similar measures that might
benefit persons who have or are alleged to have committed enforced disappearances.28 The
same article limits the right to pardon, taking into consideration the extreme seriousness of
acts of enforced disappearance.29
25 The Declaration, the Convention and the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of
Persons.
26 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention for the Protection of Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights), the American
Convention on Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
27 Inter-American Court of Human Rights, “Velásquez Rodríguez v. Honduras”, judgment of 29 July
1988, para. 177.
28 Nine years later, on 14 March 2001, in the case Barrios Altos v. Peru, the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights established that amnesties in cases of grave violations of human rights, such as
enforced disappearances, were against the American Convention on Human Rights.
29 See also the Working Group’s general comment on article 17 of the Declaration (see E/CN.4/2001/68,
paras. 25–32).
60. Article 17 of the Declaration also establishes that, when the remedies provided for in
article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are no longer effective,
statutes of limitations related to acts of enforced disappearances should be suspended until
these remedies are re-established. In addition, it provides that where they exist, statutes of
limitations relating to acts of enforced disappearance should be commensurate with the
extreme seriousness of the offence. When the crime is committed in the context of a
widespread or systematic practice, as in a crime against humanity, there should be no kind
of statute of limitations.30
61. Furthermore, it is clear that investigations related to enforced disappearance should
be carried out until the fate of the disappeared is clarified31 and that this should be done
within a reasonable time frame.
62. Articles 13 of the Declaration and 12 of the Convention contain an important set of
principles to guide States in the investigation of enforced disappearances, beginning with
the right to complain to a competent and independent State authority, and to have the
complaint promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated. Among those principles, the
following could be highlighted: (a) investigative authorities should have access to any place
of detention, official or not;32 (b) the investigation should be undertaken without delay,
even ex officio, without formal complaint;33 (c) those suspected of having been involved in
the disappearance should not have the possibility of influencing the investigation through
pressure, acts of intimidation or reprisals;34 (d) State agencies the members of which could
be involved in the disappearance should not participate in the investigations (see
A/HRC/33/51/Add.2, para. 82 (a), and CED/C/MEX/CO/1, para. 28 (d)); (e) authorities
should have the necessary powers and resources to conduct investigations, including
powers to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of the relevant documents,
including military, police and intelligence files.35
63. The study will also analyse the obligation of States on mutual cooperation in
criminal proceedings, taking into consideration that, in the experience of the Working
Group, enforced disappearance often manifests itself as a transnational crime, as described
in the latest thematic report on enforced disappearances in the context of migration (see
A/HRC/36/39/Add.2, para. 83).
64. The independence of the prosecution and the impartiality of the judgments also
appear as guarantees that support the whole scheme of rights and State obligations to
develop the duty to investigate. In this sense, the Declaration establishes that those accused
of having committed an enforced disappearance should be tried by the competent ordinary
courts and not by other special tribunals, in particular military courts.36
65. Finally, relatives of the disappeared have proven to be essential in the context of
investigations and should have the right to know the truth, be granted full access to the
investigation and participate in the proceedings.
30 See art. 5 of the Convention. The Working Group has always considered that, due to the continuous
nature of the crime, it must be interpreted that the statutes of limitations, if applicable, should
commence from the moment when the enforced disappearance ceases.
31 See art. 13 (6) of the Declaration.
32 See also art. 9 of the Declaration.
33 See art. 13 (1) of the Declaration and art. 12 (2) of the Convention.
34 See art. 12 (4) of the Convention.
35 See art. 13 (2) of the Declaration and principle 16 of the updated set of principles for the protection
and promotion of human rights through action to combat impunity (E/CN.4/2005/102/Add.1).
36 See art. 16 (2) of the Declaration. See also the statement on enforced disappearance and military
jurisdiction by the Committee on Enforced Disappearances
(https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CED/Shared%20Documents/1_Global/INT_CED_SUS_7639_E.
pdf, para. 3) and art. IX of the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons.
3. Public policies to develop towards an effective investigation
66. The thematic study will also focus on the public policies to implement the obligation
to investigate based on the accumulated experience of the Working Group during its 38
years of existence.
67. The State obligation to include enforced disappearances as an autonomous crime
(see A/HRC/13/31, para. 649), as provided for in article 3 of the Declaration, appears
essential for an effective investigation, as it allows the investigative authorities to
understand the specific nature of the crime and the different investigative skills required,
which are different from other crimes usually associated with enforced disappearances,
such as kidnapping, torture, extrajudicial execution and arbitrary detention.
68. Criminalization of enforced disappearances is also directly linked with the need to
design special investigative and prosecutorial units, as have been developed recently in
many States. The creation of these units allows cases to be investigated jointly and with a
context perspective, rather than investigating them separately. Special units are usually
staffed by professionals from different disciplines, such as anthropology, forensic science,
psychology and information and communication technology, rather than only lawyers. This
holistic approach to investigation allows a better strategy for the prioritization of cases and
better use of new investigative techniques, including assessment of scientific evidence.
69. Another element that will be addressed in the study relates to one of the main
obstacles to an effective investigation of cases of enforced disappearances, notably the
recurrent threats against the complainant, relatives, witnesses, lawyers, human rights
defenders, journalists and often also the authorities in charge of the investigation. An
effective policy to investigate enforced disappearances is possible only when adequate State
resources are available to protect any person involved in the investigation.
70. Security for those involved in the investigations is also essential in order to create an
environment in which it is possible for family members and civil society to document cases,
which often produces effective results, even if this should not replace the obligations of the
State.
71. It is also of the utmost importance that the authorities in charge of the investigation
be allowed to access all the archives in which the relevant information could be found. This
should be accompanied by appropriate policies for the preservation and disclosure of
archives.
72. The lack of professional and independent forensic institutions has also been an
obstacle in many cases. That is why there is a need to guarantee the development of local
forensic teams that can deal with the challenges that this complex crime entail.
73. Coordination between State agencies is another essential element for effective
investigations, better administration of limited resources, clear accountability and the
necessary exchange of information among those involved in the investigation.
74. In the study, the working Group will also deal with how enforced disappearances
have been investigated in the context of transitional justice and analyse the development of
the different schemes in terms of full reparation to victims in the light of the experience of
the Working Group.
75. Lastly, the Working Group will study how investigations should be carried out when
the victims are exposed to situations of vulnerability, such as is often the case with children,
women, migrants, human rights defenders, indigenous people and social leaders, among
others.
4. Effective investigation and full reparation
76. As mentioned above, an effective investigation is indispensable in guaranteeing the
right of victims to know the truth. As defined by the Working Group in its general comment
on the right to truth in relation to enforced disappearance, the right to the truth means the
right to know about the progress and results of an investigation, the fate or whereabouts of
the disappeared persons, and the circumstances of the disappearances, and the identity of
the perpetrator(s) (see A/HRC/16/48, p. 14, para. 1).
77. In the report, the Working Group will also focus on this relationship. For example,
how truth commissions, commissions of inquiry or teams of international independent
experts can provide useful elements in criminal investigations.
78. An effective investigation is also a vehicle for the accomplishment of all the pillars
of full reparation, including not only justice, but also the guarantees of non-recurrence.
5. The search for the disappeared
79. In the thematic report, the Working Group will not deal with the search for the
disappeared, i.e. the mechanisms and policies created at the institutional level to search for
those who are missing, as this is an issue with its own specific standards and experiences,
which would deserve a specific and separate study. However, there is an obvious
interaction between the criminal investigation of enforced disappearances and the search for
the disappeared, and therefore the Working Group will inevitably explore some elements of
this relationship. In this regard, it should be also noted that the Committee on Enforced
Disappearances has begun the process of developing guidelines on the search for the
disappeared.
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III. Decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group and communications transmitted to the States concerned during the reporting period37
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
(six-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 1
Albania 1 1
Algeria 3 179 49 3 228 1 1
Angola 2 1 2
Argentina 3 241 157 19 3 084 1 1
Azerbaijan 0 1 1 1 1
Bahrain 4 1 1 2 2 1 1
Bangladesh 49 3 5 57
Belarus 3 3
Bhutan 0 1 1 1
Bolivia
(Plurinational
State of) 28 28
Brazil 13 13
Burundi 58 2 6 66 1 1
Cambodia 1 1
37 Urgent actions are cases of enforced disappearances that have occurred within three months prior to the receipt of a report by the Working Group; or cases of enforced
disappearances that have 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 that have 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.
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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
(six-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
Cameroon 14 14
Central African
Republic 3 3
Chad 23 23 1
Chile 785 785
China 43 2 3 3 45 1 1
Colombia 973 973 1
Congo 89 89
Democratic
People’s
Republic of
Korea 167 1 65 233
Democratic
Republic of
Congo 48 1 1 48 1
Dominican
Republic 2 2
Ecuador 5 5
Egypt38 258 173 14 54 27 104 363 4 2 1 1 2 1
El Salvador 2 282 2 282 1
Equatorial
Guinea 8 8
Eritrea 62 62
Ethiopia 113 113
France 1 1
38 The Working Group determined during its 114th 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
(six-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
Gambia 4 9 13
Greece 1 1
Guatemala 2 897 2 897 1 1
Guinea 37 37
Guyana 1 1
Haiti 38 38
Honduras 130 130
India 368 28 396 1
Indonesia 163 1 164
Iran (Islamic
Republic of ) 528 4 4 1 4 535 2 1 1
Iraq 16 416 1 2 16 419 1
Israel 2 1 3
Jordan 3 1 1 3
Kenya 77 77 1
Kuwait 1 1
Lao People’s
Democratic
Republic 2 2
Lebanon 313 1 314 1 1
Libya39 33 5 13 50 1
Malaysia 1 1 2
Maldives 1 1
Mauritania 4 1 1 1 5
39 The Working Group determined during its 115th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.
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5
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
(six-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 377 2 6 371 1 1 2 1 3 2
Morocco40 140 24 15 160
Mozambique 3 3
Myanmar 2 2
Namibia 2 2
Nepal 470 10 480 1
Nicaragua 103 103
Nigeria 0 1 1
Oman41 1 0
Pakistan 723 50 115 110 22 156 747 1 1
Peru 2 365 1 2 364 1 1
Philippines 625 625
Republic of
Korea 3 3
Russian
Federation 808 1 809 1
Rwanda 23 23
Saudi Arabia42 5 6 2 1 2 12 1
Seychelles 3 3
Somalia 1 1
South Africa 1 1 2
South Sudan 2 1 3
40 The Working Group determined during its 115th session that four cases were duplicates and subsequently expunged them from the records.
41 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to transfer the case from Oman to Yemen.
42 The Working Group decided at its 115th session to reopen two cases based on new information provided by sources.
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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
(six-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
Spain 7 1 6
Sri Lanka 5 859 99 5 958
Sudan 174 2 2 1 1 176 1
Syrian Arab
Republic 218 2 68 1 287
Tajikistan 3 1
Thailand 82 4 86 1
Timor-Leste 428 428
Togo 10 10
Tunisia 12 12
Turkey 95 4 6 1 92 1
Turkmenistan 4 2 1 5
Uganda 15 15 1 1
Ukraine 5 1 6
United Arab
Emirates43 5 2 1 5
United States of
America 4 1 5
Uruguay 20 20 1 1
Uzbekistan 7 7
Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of) 16 1 15
Viet Nam 1 1 0
43 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to discontinue the consideration of three outstanding cases in accordance with paragraph 28 of its methods of work.
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7
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
(six-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
Yemen44 12 1 14
Zimbabwe 5 5
State of
Palestine 4 4
44 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to transfer a case from Oman to Yemen.
IV. Observations
80. In addition to the observations formulated in its post-session documents (see para. 7
above), the Working Group makes the following country-specific observations based on the
cooperation received and on significant developments regarding its mandate during the
reporting period.
Algeria
81. The Working Group reiterates its disappointment (see A/HRC/30/38, para 58,
A/HRC/33/51 para. 82, and A/HRC/36/39, para 64) that, in spite of an official
communication received in February 2014 in which the Government 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 continues to hope that it can soon
be allowed to conduct a visit to the country.
Bahrain
82. On 27 October 2014, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.
No positive response has yet been received, in spite of reminders sent on 27 November
2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive
reply will be received soon.
Bangladesh
83. The Working Group is concerned at the lack of replies to the cases and
communications transmitted, including in connection with three general allegations
transmitted on: 4 May 2011, concerning the alleged frequent use of enforced disappearance
as a tool by law enforcement agencies, and paramilitary and armed forces to detain and
even to execute individuals extrajudicially (see A/HRC/22/45 and Corr.1, para. 33, and
A/HRC/30/38, para. 61); 9 March 2016, concerning the reportedly alarming rise in the
number of cases of enforced disappearance in the country (see A/HRC/WGEID/108/1, para.
6); and on 22 February 2017, concerning allegations of grave human rights abuses and
violations committed by the security and intelligence forces, as well as law enforcement
authorities (see A/HRC/WGEID/111/1, para. 24 and annex II).
84. On 12 March 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.
No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent on 27
October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working
Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Burundi
85. The Working Group continues to be concerned (see A/HRC/33/51, paras. 85–86,
and A/HRC/36/39, para. 68) about the situation in Burundi, 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.
86. On 27 May 2009, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.
The Working Group regrets that, on 27 March 2017, the Government declined to issue an
invitation and hopes that due consideration will be given to its last reminder sent on 19
January 2018.
China
87. The Working Group reiterates its concern in relation to individuals who were
detained in China, and placed under investigation, yet whose exact whereabouts remain
unknown (see A/HRC/36/39, para. 71, A/HRC/WGEID/113/1, para. 29, and
A/HRC/WGEID/115/1, paras. 23–24). The Working Group reiterates that these conditions
of detention are a form of enforced disappearance, and urges the Government of China to
disclose the fate and whereabouts of all detained persons, regardless of the nature of the
charges against them. The Working Group reiterates that accurate information on the
detention of persons deprived of liberty and their place or places of detention, including
transfers, should be made available promptly to their family members, their counsel or to
any other persons having a legitimate interest in the information (art. 10 (2) of the
Declaration).
88. The Working Group is concerned at the very high number of enforced
disappearances of Uighurs, which escalated dramatically in 2017 with the introduction of
“re-education” camps in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region by the Government of
China (see A/HRC/WGEID/115, annex I).
89. On 19 February 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a
visit to the country. No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of
reminders sent on 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January
2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
90. The Working Group reiterates its previous call to the Security Council to consider
referring the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the International
Criminal Court (see A/HRC/27/49, para. 72).
91. The Working Group took note of the statements released after the summit between
the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea on 27 April 2018, in
which the two countries agreed to endeavor to swiftly resolve the humanitarian issues that
had resulted from the division of the nation. The Working Group urges that the issue of
enforced disappearances, including the fates and whereabouts of the abductees, should be
resolved during that process.
92. On 22 May 2015, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country. No
response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent on 18
November 2016 and 19 January 2018. It hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
93. The Working Group continues to be concerned (see A/HRC/36/39, para. 77) about
the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 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.
94. On 17 May 2017, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit to
the country. It hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Egypt
95. While the Working Group thanks the Government for its large number of replies,
which continue to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to engage with the Working
Group and have allowed it to clarify a large number of cases, it remains concerned by the
number of new cases that continue to be received. During the reporting period, it
transmitted 173 new cases under its urgent action procedure to the Government (see
A/HRC/WGEID/113/1, para. 43, A/HRC/WGEID/114/1, para. 46, and
A/HRC/WGEID/115/1, para. 36). It reminds the Government that the clarification of many
of the cases does not exonerate it from its obligations under the Declaration, including to
take all measures necessary to prevent similar cases in the future. The Working Group is
concerned that, notwithstanding repeated calls to address what appears to be a systemic
problem relating to short-term enforced disappearances, the situation does not seem to have
improved and calls for urgent action in this regard from the Government.
96. The Working Group also expresses serious concern about the shrinking space of
civil society in Egypt and the chilling effect that this may have on individuals and
organizations that report on alleged enforced disappearances. It highlights in this respect its
serious concern at the case of Mr. Metwally, a lawyer and father of someone who has
disappeared, who was arrested on 12 September 2017 in Egypt on his way to a meeting
with the Working Group at its 113th session in Geneva (see para. 36 above). While noting
the information in the lengthy response provided by the Government of Egypt to the
communication sent on this case on 3 October 2017, the Working Group reiterates that the
arrest and charges against Mr. Metwally point to an act of reprisal for his cooperation with
a United Nations human rights mechanism, and a deliberate obstruction of his legitimate
human rights activity to seek to establish the fate and whereabouts of his son and other
disappeared people in Egypt. The Working Group also emphasizes that, as provided for in
article 13 of the Declaration, those involved in the investigation of enforced disappearance
should be protected against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal. It has requested an update
on his case and the outstanding questions raised in the aforementioned communication and
hopes to receive this information soon.
97. On 30 June 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country. No
response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent on 8
November 2012, 18 September 2013, 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November
2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received
soon.
El Salvador
98. The Working Group welcomes two rulings from the Constitutional Chamber of the
Supreme Court that ordered the Ministry of Defence and the military to conduct an internal
investigation and to deliver information about military operations that involved the
disappearance of children during the armed conflict (operations “guinda de mayo” and
“invasión anillo”).
99. The Working Group also takes note with interest of the appointment of the
commissioners of the National Commission for the Search of Disappeared Persons during
the armed conflict in El Salvador (CONABÚSQUEDA) and awaits for the beginning of its
activities and the creation and implementation of a national search plan.
Eritrea
100. The Working Group regrets its total lack of interaction with the Government of
Eritrea, including the lack of a reply to the general allegation transmitted on 21 March 2017
in relation to the alleged widespread and systematic human rights violations, including
enforced disappearances, committed throughout the country over the past 25 years (see
A/HRC/WGEID/111/1, para. 52 and annex II).
101. The Working Group reiterates its endorsement of the call made by the commission
of inquiry on human rights in Eritrea for the Security Council to consider referring the
situation in Eritrea to the International Criminal Court (see A/HRC/32/47, para. 132, and
A/HRC/36/39, para. 82).
Guatemala
102. The Working Group welcomes the ruling issued on 23 May 2018 by the High Risk
“C” Tribunal in Guatemala against four high-ranking former military officials for crimes
against humanity, aggravated sexual violence and enforced disappearance in the Molina
Theissen case. The Working Group expects this decision to be a milestone in the fight
against impunity and hopes to be able to visit the country soon to follow up on this process.
103. The Working Group remains nevertheless concerned about draft law 5377, which
would reform the National Law on Reconciliation (Decree 145-96) and establish a general
amnesty and a total abolition of criminal accountability for those responsible for grave
violations of human rights during the internal conflict.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
104. The Working Group remains concerned at the information received concerning acts
of harassment and intimidation against persons who have reported cases of enforced
disappearances or who have actively campaigned to learn the truth about their disappeared
relatives and sought justice for them (see A/HRC/WGEID/113/1, para. 66, and
A/HRC/WGEID/114/1, para. 65). The Working Group would like to emphasize that,
according to article 13 (3) of the Declaration, steps should be taken to ensure that all those
involved in the investigation, including the complainant, counsel, witnesses and those
conducting the investigation, are protected against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal.
105. The Working Group regrets that no information has been received from the
Government in connection with the general allegation transmitted on 28 February 2017,
concerning the alleged lack of action to investigate unmarked graves and impunity for the
disappearance and extrajudicial execution of 5,000 political prisoners in the Islamic
Republic of Iran in the 1980s (see A/HRC/WGEID/111/1 para. 68 and annex II).
106. The Working Group once again 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 visit has not yet taken place, in spite of reminders sent on 20 July 2009,
16 August 2010, 18 August 2011, 8 November 2012, 18 September 2013, 28 October 2014,
27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group calls
upon the Government to set the dates for the visit as soon as possible.
Kenya
107. The Working Group reiterates its concern (see A/36/39, para. 88) at the lack of
replies from the Government to its communications, including three general allegations
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, and A/HRC/30/38, para. 76); on 4 March 2016 in
relation to alleged human rights violations, including enforced disappearances of terrorism
suspects, in the context of high-handed security measures, such as the “Usalama watch”
security operation carried out in April 2014 (see A/HRC/WGEID/108/1, para. 6); and on 1
June 2017 in relation to reports of enforced disappearances of notably young Muslims in
the coastal region of the country (see A/HRC/WGEID/112/1, para. 54). The Working
Group reiterates that, as provided for in article 7 of the Declaration, no circumstances
whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.
108. On 19 February 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the
country. No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of a reminders
sent on 2 September 2013, 28 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and
19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Libya
109. The Working Group continues to be concerned at the volatile situation in Libya,
which may facilitate the occurrence of enforced disappearances.
110. The Working Group hopes that conditions will soon be appropriate to visit Libya.
Libya extended its invitation to the Working Group in 2012, but later suspended it due to
security concerns.
Mexico
111. The Working Group notes with appreciation the entry into force of the general law
on enforced disappearances and the federal law on declarations of absence of disappeared
persons and recommends the swift and effective implementation of both laws with the
participation of the families of the disappeared during the whole process. In particular, the
Working Group is concerned about the steps to guarantee the independence of the National
Search Unit.
112. The Working Group regrets the approval by Congress of the Law on Internal
Security (see para. 42 above) and expresses its concern that the increased role of the armed
forces in internal security without proper control and accountability may create the
conditions for the recurrence of human rights violations. It reiterates its recommendation
after its visit in 2011 to Mexico and its follow-up report published in 2015, which called for
the armed forces to be withdrawn from public security operations.
Myanmar
113. The Working Group continues to be concerned (see A/HRC/36/39, para. 92) at the
consistent and reliable reports of grave and systematic human rights violations in the
Rakhine State, including enforced disappearances (see A/HRC/37/70, para. 49). It
emphasizes that, as provided for in article 2 of the Declaration, no State shall practise,
permit or tolerate enforced disappearances and that, according to article 7 of the
Declaration, no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced
disappearances.
114. In that respect, the Working Group notes with concern the general allegation
transmitted on 9 June 2017, related to allegations of enforced disappearances following
security operations in northern Rakhine State (see A/HRC/WGEID/112/1, paras. 72–73 and
annex II) and requests that a reply be provided soon.
Nepal
115. The Working Group notes that the mandates of the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons have
been extended. The Working Group regrets, however, that the extensions are always made
on a yearly basis, which can impair the effectiveness of the work of these bodies. In that
respect, the Working Group reiterates its call to the Government of Nepal (see
A/HRC/36/39, para. 94) to guarantee the effective planning and functioning of those
Commissions, including the provision of adequate resources.
116. The Working Group also reiterates its recommendation to accelerate the adoption of
the bill that criminalizes enforced disappearances drafted by the Commission of
Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons in 2015 (see A/HRC/36/39, para. 95), in
consultation with relevant stakeholders, including victims and civil society organizations.
117. On 22 November 2016, the Working Group reiterated its request to visit the country,
which was initially made in 2006. No response has yet been received from the Government
in spite of a reminder sent on 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive
reply will be received soon.
Pakistan
118. While the Working Group thanks the Government for the large number of replies,
which continue to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to engage with the Working
Group, it remains concerned by the number of new cases that continue to be received.
During the reporting period, it transmitted 50 new cases under its urgent action procedure to
the Government (see A/HRC/WGEID/113/1, para. 96, A/HRC/WGEID/114/1, para. 100,
and A/HRC/WGEID/115/1, para. 76).
119. The Working Group reiterates the provisions of the Declaration, indicating that:
steps should be taken to ensure that all those involved in the investigation, including the
complainant, counsel, witnesses and those conducting the investigation, are protected
against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal (art. 13 (3)); and that any ill-treatment,
intimidation or reprisal or any other form of interference during the lodging of a complaint
or during the investigation should be appropriately punished (art. 13 (5)).
120. The Working Group reiterates its request (see A/36/39, para. 98) to conduct a
follow-up visit after its visit in September 2012, as indicated in the follow-up report (see
A/HRC/33/51/Add.7, para. 38).
Peru
121. The Working Group expressed its regret about the presidential pardon granted on 24
December 2017 to former President Fujimori on politically motivated grounds, who had
been convicted for the crimes of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and
kidnapping (see para. 43 above). It remains worried about the impunity that the decision
may entail, and recalls that international human rights law restricts the granting of
amnesties, pardons or other exclusions of responsibility in cases of serious human rights
violations, including enforced disappearances.
122. The Working Group awaits the implementation of the Law on the Search for the
Disappeared and the results of the National Plan on the Search for Disappeared Persons.
Philippines
123. The Working Group continues to be concerned at the situation in the Philippines
(see A/HRC/36/39, paras. 99–100), notably in relation to the alleged high number of
extrajudicial killings in the context of the “war on drugs”, which may facilitate the
occurrence of enforced disappearance. It emphasizes that, as provided for in article 7 of the
Declaration, no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced
disappearances.
Russian Federation
124. The Working Group appreciates the replies received on a number of individual cases
transmitted, but regrets that the investigations thereof have so far been unfruitful or
inconclusive.
125. On 2 November 2006, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the
country. Reminders were sent on 4 June 2008, 20 July 2009, 16 August 2010, 18 August
2011, 8 November 2012, 2 September 2013, 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18
November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group regrets that the Russian
Federation has indicated that it could not invite the Working Group to visit at this moment
in time. It reiterates its request and hopes that a positive reply will be received as soon as
possible.
Rwanda
126. The Working Group is concerned at the lack of replies to the cases and
communications transmitted.
127. On 27 October 2014, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.
No positive response has yet been received, in spite of the reminders sent on 27 November
2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive
reply will be received soon.
Sri Lanka
128. The Working Group notes the establishment of the Office of Missing Persons and
urges the Government to ensure its functioning and implementation and take into account
the recommendations made after the visit carried out in November 2015 (see
A/HRC/33/51/Add.2, paras. 79–80).
129. The Working Group reminds the State that the families of the disappeared in Sri
Lanka have waited too long to know the truth about the fate or whereabouts of their loved
ones. This is an absolute right under the Declaration and an obligation that the State should
meet in accordance with international law. It also reminds the State that the victims of
enforced disappearance and their families should obtain redress and have the right to
adequate compensation, including the means for as complete a rehabilitation as possible.
Sudan
130. The visit to Sudan scheduled for November 2017 was postponed due to a lack of
understanding about the terms of reference for the visit. The Working Group greatly regrets
that, in spite of a preliminary visit undertaken by the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working
Group in order to clarify the terms of reference on 5 and 6 December 2017 — and an
agreement in principle about the new dates in March 2018 — the Government has never
officially accepted the visit.
Syrian Arab Republic
131. The Working Group continues to be gravely concerned (see A/HRC/36/39 para. 105)
about the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, which facilitates 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.
132. The Working Group reiterates its call to the Security Council to consider referring
the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (see A/HRC/27/49, para. 99, and
A/HRC/33/51, para. 103).
133. On 19 September 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the
country. No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent
on 2 September 2013, 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19
January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Thailand
134. The Working Group appreciates the meeting held during its 115th session. It
recommends that the draft act on prevention and suppression of torture and enforced
disappearance be swiftly adopted and that a definition of enforced disappearance in
conformity with the Declaration and the Convention be included therein. The act should
also prohibit refoulement to another country where the concerned individual may be at risk
of enforced disappearance, in conformity with article 8 of the Declaration.
135. On 30 June 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country. No
positive response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent on
8 November 2012, 2 September 2013, 28 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November
2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received
soon.
Turkey
136. The Working Group is concerned at the allegations concerning the practice of
extraterritorial abduction of individuals allegedly belonging to and/or sympathizers of the
Hizmet/Gülen movement, as pointed out in a number of communications (see
A/WGEID/114/1, paras. 7 and 145). Those individuals are often allegedly forcibly
disappeared for a short period of time, in violation of the provisions of the Declaration, and
then deported to Turkey.
Turkmenistan
137. On 18 November 2016, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the
country. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
United Arab Emirates
138. On 13 September 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the
country. No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent
on 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The
Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
Yemen
139. The Working Group continues to be concerned about the situation in Yemen, which
may facilitate the occurrence of enforced disappearances (see A/HRC/33/51, para. 109, and
A/HRC/36/39, para. 111). It reiterates article 7 of the Declaration, which provides that no
circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.
140. On 31 October 2017, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.
The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.
V. Conclusions and recommendations
141. The Working Group is seriously concerned that the number of enforced
disappearances continues to be unacceptably high worldwide. A demonstration of this
sad reality is the fact that, during the reporting period, the Working Group
transmitted 802 newly reported cases of disappearance to 40 States. It used the urgent
action procedure in 264 of those cases, which allegedly occurred within the three
months preceding the receipt of the report by the Working Group.
142. In spite of the large number of cases, underreporting remains a major problem.
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.
143. 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 should be made available promptly to family members.
144. The Working Group is concerned about the 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.
145. The Working Group continues to be concerned about increasing instances of
abductions carried out by non-State actors, which may be tantamount of acts of
enforced disappearance. The Working Group will continue to study whether 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.
146. The Working Group has decided to study further the issue of standards and
public policies for an effective investigation of enforced disappearances (see paras. 49
et seq. above). It calls upon all States to carefully look into the matter and inform it of
any appropriate measures and practices in this regard.
147. 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 on 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.
148. Country visits are an integral part of the mandate of 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 Mali and Ukraine for the invitations extended during the
reporting period. It also recognizes the support provided by the Government of the
Gambia during the visit carried out in June 2017. During the reporting period, the
Working Group requested visits to Mali, Lebanon and Yemen.
149. In addition to having made new requests, the Working Group reiterated its
past requests to visit the following countries, without having yet received a positive
response: Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Burundi, China, Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya,
Nepal, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, South Africa, Syrian
Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkmenistan, 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 Iran (Islamic Republic of). Visits to Libya, South Sudan and
Sudan, which have been accepted by the respective countries, have not materialized so
far for different reasons. 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, for those that have agreed to visits, to respond as soon as
possible with specific dates.
150. The Working Group reiterates its previous call to be given a role in the follow-
up to the findings of the commissions of inquiry and other fact-finding or investigative
bodies created by the Human Rights Council insofar as they relate to enforced
disappearances (see A/HRC/33/51, para. 119, and A/HRC/36/39, para. 120).
151. The Working Group continues the practice of holding one session each year
outside Geneva, in part so as to facilitate interaction with the relatives of disappeared
persons and raise awareness of the Working Group’s mandate and activities at the
local and regional levels. It appreciates the invitation received from the Government
of Belgium to hold a session during the reporting period. The Working Group invites
other countries to follow this good example.
152. The Working Group once again calls upon States that have not signed and/or
ratified the Convention to do so as soon as possible and to accept the competence of
the Committee to receive individual cases under article 31 and inter-State complaints
under article 32 of the Convention.
Annex I
Country visit requests and invitations extended
Invitations extended to the WGEID
Country Date
Albania 5 to 12 December 2016
Algeria1 tbd
Ecuador tbd
Gambia (the) 12 to 19 June 2017
Iran (Islamic Republic of)2 tbd
Kyrgyzstan tbd
Libya3 tbd, postponed
South Sudan4 Last quarter of 2016 (did not take place)
Mali Last quarter of 2018 (tbd)
Sudan5 20 to 29 November 2017 (postponed)
Tajikistan tbd
Ukraine 11 to 20 June 2018
Visits requested by the WGEID
Country Request sent Last reminder sent
Bahrain 27 October 2014 19 January 2018
Bangladesh 12 March 2013 19 January 2018
Belarus 30 June 2011 19 January 2018
Burundi 27 May 2009 19 January 2018
China 19 February 2013 19 January 2018
Democratic Republic of the Congo
17 May 2017 -
Egypt 30 June 2011 19 January 2018
El Salvador 6 October 2017 30 May 2018
India 16 August 2010 19 January 2018
Indonesia 12 December 2006 19 January 2018
Kenya 19 February 2013 19 January 2018
1 See para. 29 and 83 above.
2 See para. 29 and 108 above.
3 See para. 30 and 112 above.
4 See para. 30 above.
5 See para. 28 and 132 above.
Visits requested by the WGEID
Country Request sent Last reminder sent
Lebanon 27 November 2015 19 January 2018
Nepal 12 May 2006 19 January 2018
Nicaragua 23 May 2006 19 January 2018
Philippines 3 April 2013 19 January 2018
Russian Federation 2 November 2006 19 January 2018
Rwanda 27 October 2014 19 January 2018
South Africa 28 October 2014 19 January 2018
Syrian Arab Republic 19 September 2011 19 January 2018
Thailand 30 June 2011 19 January 2018
Turkmenistan 18 November 2016 -
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
27 October 2014 27 November 2015
United Arab Emirates 13 September 2013 19 January 2018
Uzbekistan 30 June 2011 19 January 2018
Zimbabwe 20 July 2009 19 January 2018
Yemen 31 October 2017
A /H
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2
9
Annex II
Statistical summary: cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance reported to the Working Group between 1980 and 2018, 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 3 228 20 3 257 23 9 20 11 10 8 Yes (2013, 2018) Yes (2013);
No (2018)
Angola 2 12 1 7 7 3
Argentina 3 084 728 3 444 775 282 78 39 5 316
Azerbaijan 1 1
Bahrain 2 18 3 13 2 14 Yes (2014) Yes
Bangladesh 57 1 60 2 1 2 3 Yes (2011, 2017) No
Belarus 3 3
Bhutan 1 1
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 3
Burundi 66 1 67 1 1 1 Yes (2018) No
Cambodia 1 3 2
Cameroon 14 19 5 4 1 Yes (2016) No
Central African Republic 3 3 Yes (2013) No
Chad 23 34 3 8 9 1 1
A /H
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/3 9
/4 6
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
Chile 785 63 908 65 101 22 2 121
China 45 11 144 25 78 21 60 37 2 Yes
(2010/2011/2018)
Yes; No
(2018)
Colombia 973 96 1 260 126 219 68 160 24 103 Yes (2012/2013/
2015/2016/2017) No (2017)
Congo 89 3 91 3 2
Cuba 1 1 1
Czechia Yes (2009) Yes
Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea 233 42 233 42 Yes (2012) No
Democratic Republic of the
Congo 48 11 58 11 6 4 10 Yes (2015) Yes
Denmark 1 1 1 Yes (2009) No
Dominican Republic 2 5 2 2 1
Ecuador 5 27 2 18 4 12 4 6
Egypt1, 2 363 8 617 8 144 110 64 188 2 Yes
(2011/2016/2017)
Yes; No
(2017)
El Salvador 2 282 296 2 673 333 318 73 196 175 20 Yes (2015/2015) No
Equatorial Guinea 8 8
Eritrea 62 4 62 4 Yes (2012/2017) No
Ethiopia 113 1 120 2 3 4 2 5
France 1 1
Gambia 13 2 21 2 8 8
Georgia 1 1 1
Greece 1 3 2
Guatemala 2 897 372 3 154 390 177 80 187 6 64 Yes (2011/2013) Yes
1 The Working Group determined during its 114th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.
2 The Working Group determined during its 114th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.
A /H
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3
1
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
Guinea 37 2 44 2 7 7
Guyana 1 1
Haiti 38 1 48 1 9 1 1 4 5
Honduras 130 21 210 34 37 43 54 8 18
India 396 10 476 13 68 12 51 7 22 Yes
(2009/2011/2013) No
Indonesia 164 6 168 3 3 1 3 1 Yes
(2011/2013/2017) No
Iran (Islamic Republic of) 535 103 555 103 15 5 8 3 9 Yes (2017) No
Iraq 16 419 2 300 16 566 2 317 117 30 122 16 9
Ireland Yes (2009) No
Israel 3 4 1 1
Japan 4 3
Jordan 3 6 3 1 2
Kazakhstan 2 2 2
Kenya 77 77
Yes
(2011/2014/2016/
2017)
No
Kuwait 1 2 1 1
Lao People’s Democratic
Republic 2 1 11 2 8 7 1 1
Lebanon 314 19 323 19 2 7 8 1
Libya3 50 59 1 9 6 2 1 Yes (2014) No
Lithuania Yes (2012) Yes
Malaysia 2 4 1 1 1
Maldives 1 1
Mauritania 5 6 1 1
3 The Working Group determined during its 115th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.
A /H
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/3 9
/4 6
3 2
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
Mexico4 371 33 562 43 134 39 83 18 72 18
Yes
(2013/2014/2017/
2017/2017)
No (2014
and one of
2017)
Montenegro 16 1 1 1 14 1
Morocco5 160 9 394 31 160 53 141 16 56 21 Yes (2013) Yes
Mozambique 3 3
Myanmar 2 1 9 6 7 5 2 Yes (2017) No
Namibia 2 3 1 1
Nepal 480 60 694 73 135 79 153 60 1 Yes (2014) No
Nicaragua 103 2 234 4 112 19 45 11 75
Nigeria 1 8 6 1 7
Oman 1 1 1
Pakistan6 747 9 1 000 10 167 86 150 84 19 Yes (2015, 2017) No (2017)
Paraguay 23 20 19 1 3 Yes (2014) Yes
Peru 2 364 236 3 006 311 254 388 450 85 107
Philippines 625 74 786 94 126 35 112 19 30 Yes (2009/2012) No
Romania 1 1 1
Republic of Korea 3 3
Russian Federation 809 38 821 40 2 10 12 Yes (2016, 2018) No (2018)
Rwanda 23 3 26 2 2 1 1 1
Saudi Arabia7 12 1 25 5 6 3 7 1 2
Serbia 1 1 1
Seychelles 3 3
Somalia 1 1
4 The Working Group decided at its 114th session to discontinue the consideration of two outstanding cases in accordance with paragraph 28 of its methods of work.
5 The Working Group determined during its 115th session that four cases were duplicates and subsequently expunged them from the records.
6 The Working Group determined during its 114th and 115th sessions that nine cases were duplicates and subsequently expunged them from the records.
7 The Working group decided at its 115th session to reopen two cases.
A /H
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/4 6
3
3
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
South Africa 2 1 13 2 3 2 1 1 3 6
South Sudan 3 3
Spain 6 9 3 3 Yes (2014) Yes
Sri Lanka 5 958 121 12 549 191 6 551 40 118 27 6 446 Yes (2011/2014) Yes
Sudan 176 5 392 37 206 10 213 3
Switzerland 1 1 1
Syrian Arab Republic 287 26 345 12 16 42 31 21 6 Yes (2) (2011) Yes
Tajikistan8 1 8 5 2 1 6
Thailand 86 9 90 8 2 1 1 2 Yes (2008, 2018) No
The former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia Yes (2009) No
Timor-Leste 428 29 504 36 58 18 51 23 2
Togo 10 2 11 2 1 1
Tunisia 12 29 1 12 5 2 15
Turkey 92 3 227 14 82 52 75 27 32 1
Turkmenistan 5 8 3 2 1
Uganda 15 2 22 4 2 5 2 5
Ukraine 6 9 2 1 2 1
United Arab Emirates9 5 1 43 5 8 30 10 28
United Republic of Tanzania 2 2 2
United States of America 5 6 1 1
Uruguay 20 2 34 7 13 1 5 4 5 Yes
(2013/2015/2018) No (2018)
Uzbekistan 7 20 12 1 2 11
8 The Working Group decided at its 114th session to discontinue the consideration of two outstanding cases in accordance with paragraph 28 of its methods of work.
9 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to discontinue the consideration of three outstanding cases in accordance with paragraph 28 of its methods of work.
A /H
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/4 6
3 4
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
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic
of) 15 2 19 3 4 1 3
Viet Nam 2 2 1 1
Yemen10 14 172 135 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 5 1 1 1
10 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to transfer one case from Oman to Yemen.
Annex III
Graphs showing the number of cases of enforced disappearances by country and by year according to the cases transmitted by the Working Group during the period between 1980 and 2 May 2018 (only for countries with more than 100 cases transmitted)
5 3 1 1 1 4 1 1 3 4 1 1 3 22
111
10931091
595
212
57
15 8 2 5 2 2 6 3 2 1 1
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1964 66 68 70 72 75 76 78 79 80 81 87 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000200120022003200620072008200920112012
ALGERIA
2 1 8
100
1391
1181
324
50 36 12 1 1 1 1 2 7 1 1 2 1
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
ARGENTINA
422
258
84
111
16 3 4 2 1 5 1
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
73 74 75 76 77 78 81 84 85 87 89
CHILE
38
4
82
75 73
88
82 78
74
102
22
86
24
57
28 29 24
36
23
53
33 32 27
23 22
11 10 14
5 1 2 1 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
72-79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2014 2016
COLOMBIA
1 1 1 1 1 2 1 4 3
7 8 6 2 1 1 2
19
4
13
1
17 21
119
161
35
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
1983 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2005 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
EGYPT
15 15 36
16
143
482
341
654
536
126
68
29 46 42
54
25 37
2 1 5
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 2007 2014
EL SALVADOR
8
1
5
1 3
4
1
5
1 1
7 7
13
47
3 4
2 1 1
3 1 1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
74 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 88 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2005 2007 2016
ETHIOPIA
34
179
364 375
522
490
424
290
153
64 65 52
77
29 13 7 9 4 1
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 2002
GUATEMALA
1
61
22 22
28 29
6
10 10
3 4
1 1 2 1 1
5
2 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 92 93 94 95 99 2006 2011 2015
HONDURAS
3 12
4 2 5
202
51
2
18
1 1 1 3 7
2 1 1 2 1 3 1
0
50
100
150
200
250
75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95-96 97 98 99 2000 2016
LEBANON
6 6
46
25
33
52
33
9
6
19
7 7
2 3
1 2
3 1
4
1 2
38
21
5
26
12
4 3
2
7 5
4
15 16
29
39
36
14
5 6
3 4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
MEXICO
1
60
19 22
56
42
4
17
4 1
4 2 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 89 90 94
NICARAGUA
3 4 8 1 4 3 1 1 5
46
14 4 1 2 5 1 3
8
23
3 5
34 37
23 20 33
54
278
297
73
6
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1 9
7 1
1 9
8 5
1 9
8 6
1 9
8 9
1 9 9
0
1 9
9 1
1 9
9 2
1 9
9 3
1 9
9 4
1 9
9 5
1 9
9 6
1 9
9 8
1 9
9 9
2 0
0 0
2 0
0 1
2 0
0 3
2 0
0 4
2 0
0 5
2 0
0 6
2 0
0 7
2 0
0 8
2 0
0 9
2 0
1 0
2 0
1 1
2 0
1 2
2 0
1 3
2 0
1 4
2 0
1 5
2 0
1 6
2 0
1 7
2 0
1 8
PAKISTAN
2
433 414
208
256
134
230
451
290
328
195
37
13 10 5 1 2 1 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98-99 2000 2013
PERU
7
38
16
28
48
42
24
17
24
148
83
2
12
63
48 52
17 19 17
5 2 1
4 4 1
6 4 4 4
12
21
5 2 1 2 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
PHILIPPINES
144
3
15
48
12 4
203
111
122
58
48
27
7 6 4 6 1 1 1 1
0
50
100
150
200
250
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2012 2014 2016 2018
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
1 1 4 2
253
1 1 3 1 1
52
23 24
14
0 1 2 1 4 3
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
91 92 93 94 95 97 98 99 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2011 2015 2016 2017
SUDAN
1 2
30
10 2
45 45
2 6
28
243
20
1
36 33
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85-86 87 88 89 90 91 92 95 96 97
TIMOR LESTE
1 4
26
37
76
29
15
6
14
6 4
1 3
5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2001 2007 2016 2017
TURKEY