Global treaty: Defending the disappeared
Not knowing the fate of a loved one causes unimaginable heartbreak and anxiety for families. People go missing in wars and natural disasters, but they are also forcibly disappeared. What can families do?
This content was published on May 4, 2021 - 10:00
May 4, 2021 - 10:00
Imogen Foulkes
In this episode of Inside Geneva host Imogen Foulkes looks at the United Nations Convention on Enforced Disappearances. How does it work? Does it help prevent disappearances? And why are so many countries reluctant to ratify it?
Imogen is joined by Cordula Droege of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Olivier de Frouville of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, and Aileen Bacalso, President of the International Coalition against Enforced Disappearances.
The people fighting to prevent enforced disappearances
Way back in 2006, not long after I had first started working as a journalist in Geneva, I met an elderly woman, who had traveled all the way from Argentina, to attend the UN Human Rights Council. Her wish, to persuade member states to back a proposed convention against enforced disappearances, by telling them her own story.
This content was published on May 4, 2021 - 16:30
May 4, 2021 - 16:30
Imogen Foulkes
She had brought photographs with her, of her beautiful daughter, who disappeared, along with thousands of others, during the notorious years of Argentina’s junta, never to be seen again.