
An Unprecedented Milestone: The First International Congress on Enforced Disappearances
We had the honor of attending the First International Congress on Enforced Disappearances, held from January 15 to 16 in Geneva. This landmark event was co-organized by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED), the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), the UN Human Rights Office, and the Convention against Enforced Disappearances Initiative (CEDI).
The congress brought together experts, activists, human rights organizations, and government representatives from around the world. This gathering marks a turning point in the global fight against one of the most severe and persistent human rights violations: enforced disappearance.
Context and Significance
The congress took place against a backdrop of ongoing threats of enforced disappearances affecting millions of people in various countries. According to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, this practice impacts not only the direct victims but also their families, communities, and entire societies. The anguish of those searching for their missing loved ones is often compounded by the lack of answers, impunity, and state indifference.
Key Topics Discussed
During the sessions, pivotal topics were addressed, including:
- International mechanisms to combat enforced disappearances.
- The role of transitional justice in seeking truth and reparations.
- Best practices for ensuring victim participation in judicial and memorial processes.
Each panel provided profound reflections and concrete proposals to advance the eradication of this abhorrent practice.
FIBGAR’s Commitment to Human Rights
During the congress, FIBGAR reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to defending human rights and combating enforced disappearances. This dedication includes a series of actions aimed at strengthening prevention, justice, and reparations in cases of enforced disappearances.
The 2025-2027 Action Commitment
FIBGAR’s 2025-2027 Action Commitment seeks to address enforced disappearances through a comprehensive approach. This entails raising public awareness, enhancing judicial capacities, and fostering international cooperation to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
Key initiatives include:
- Education and Awareness: Designing public campaigns to highlight the impact of enforced disappearances and the importance of prevention.
- Victim Support: Providing legal and psychological assistance to the families of missing persons, promoting their active participation in truth and justice processes.
- Research and Documentation: Strengthening evidence collection and data systematization to advance case investigations and identify patterns of responsibility.
- Policy Advocacy: Collaborating with governments and international organizations to enact legal reforms that classify enforced disappearances as non-prescriptive crimes and promote prevention.
Each of these initiatives is designed to create a tangible and sustainable impact in the fight against this human rights violation.
A Unified Effort
The congress emphasized the importance of collaboration between civil society organizations, states, and international entities. The success stories presented demonstrated that unity can lead to significant progress. Consequently, FIBGAR, as part of its 2025-2027 Action Commitment, is working closely with local and international partners to share experiences, build capacities, and promote a shared agenda.
Despite the challenges, this congress made it clear that progress toward a future without enforced disappearances is achievable. The voices of victims and their families were central to the discussions, reminding us of the urgency to act. Each story shared reaffirms our commitment and drives us to continue forward.
At FIBGAR, we firmly believe that justice, memory, and reparations are fundamental pillars for building fairer and more equitable societies. Therefore, we join the Global Action Plan to combat enforced disappearances and call for collective action.
To learn more about our work and access the full document of our 2025-2027 Action Commitment, you can find it at this link: https://fibgar.es/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WCED-Pledge-FIBGAR.pdf.